| James Kon |
AIMING to take the Sultanate’s hitherto elusive Olympic dreams to fruition, an eight-member contingent from Brunei, including the country’s top three athletes, departed for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to participate in the 31st Olympic Games, the biggest sporting spectacle in the world, yesterday.
Besides badminton prodigy Jaspar Yu Woon Chai and star sprinters Mohd Fakhri bin Ismail and Maizurah binti Abdul Rahim, the Brunei squad for the August 5-21 event comprises a Chef de Mission, a manager, two coaches and a secretariat officer.
In a sabda, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC), reminded Brunei’s athletes to maintain good discipline and to stay clear of prohibited substances, in compliance with the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The words of advice from His Royal Highness’ sabda was read out by Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, during the national flag handover ceremony held yesterday for the Brunei contingent.
“Take this opportunity to increase your knowledge, exchange views in the field of sports, as well as try to benefit from the Olympic movement programme organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the host of the Olympic Games,” His Royal Highness urged.
On Brunei’s participation in the Rio Games, His Royal Highness said, “It’s an obligation for all members of the IOC, under Rule 28-3 of the Olympic Charter. As we did for the London Olympic Games, we recognised the value of gender equality this time too by sending a female athlete along with male athletes.”
Highlighting a new milestone in the history of the country’s Olympic participation, His Royal Highness mentioned that Brunei will be represented for the first time by a badminton player in the men’s singles competition.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, delivering his speech
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi handing over the national flag to Umi Kalthum binti Haji Abdul Karim, the Chef de Mission for Brunei Darussalam
Brunei’s contingent to the 31st Olympic Games in a group photo with Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, and officials. – PHOTOS: JAMES KON
Shuttler Jaspar will be participating in the Games, along with Mohd Fakhri in the men’s 100-metre event and Maizurah in the women’s 200-metre.
Jaspar received his Tripartite Commission invitation place in the men’s singles, through a selection process made by the IOC, based on the player’s ranking points for Zone Asia.
Meanwhile, in his speech at the flag handover ceremony, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, said that sending a talented contingent to Olympic Games Rio 2016 is a remarkable achievement, which would serve as an inspiration for other athletes to work hard towards improving the quality of their sporting performances.
The minister also described the Olympic Games as a dream and ambition for all athletes, including those from Brunei.
“Getting to participate in this sporting event is not easy,” he said. “The Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, has given special attention in this regard, and it requires systematic and ongoing training. It requires some careful preparations such as intensive training, participation in tournaments both at home and abroad, and a solid support from all parties – especially parents, families, employers, coaches, sporting associations and so on. Taking an approach based on sports science and technology is also one of the aspects that should be applied to achieve excellence in the athletes’ performances.”
The minister also had words of praise for the athletes. “I was pleased to see the development of the track-and-field athletes in the ‘Time Trial’ held on July 28. I hope and believe that our national athletes will demonstrate a higher level of performance than that of previous participants, or at least break the national record.”
The highlight of the ceremony was the handover of the national flag by Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi, to Umi Kalthum binti Haji Abdul Karim, the Chef de Mission for Brunei Darussalam at the 31st Olympic Games.
Brunei first participated at the Olympic Games in 1988, when its contingent comprised just one official and no athletes.
In 2000, runner Haseri bin Asri competed in the men’s 100-metre event, but was not able to advance. In 2004, Brunei once again sent a one-man delegation, Jimmy anak Ahar, who was also unable to advance in the men’s 1,500 metres.
After missing out on the 2008 Olympics due to unforeseen circumstances, Brunei made history in 2012, by sending hurdler Maziah binti Mahusin as the first female athlete to represent the country at the London Games.
Maziah was accompanied to the Olympics by swimmer Anderson Lim and runner Awangku Hafiy Tajuddin bin Pengiran Rositi in a three-member contingent, which was the biggest participation from Brunei at the time.
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