| Khairil Hassan |
BRUNEI Darussalam will be participating in the Arafura Games, which will be held from April 26 – May 4 in Darwin, Australia.
The 23-strong contingent comprise 14 athletes including two para athletes and nine officers including the Chef de Mission, secretariat officers, communication officers, team managers, coaches and medical staff.
A flag handing ceremony was held for the Brunei Darussalam Contingent to Arafura Games at the Green Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah was present as one of the athletes competing in the Arafura Games.
Present to greet Her Royal Highness was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.
The ceremony started with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Mustafa bin Haji Murat, followed by speeches from Acting Deputy Director of Youth and Sports Mariam binti Ulat as the chairperson and the minister. The minister then handed the national flag to Acting Director of Youth and Sports Haji Zafri bin Haji Mohamed as the Chef de Mission for the Brunei Darussalam contingent to the Arafura Games.
Also present were Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Permanent Secretary (Administration, Finance and Estate) at the MCYS Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, senior officers from the MCYS and family members of the athletes.
Brunei Darussalam will be competing in three events – netball led by Her Royal Highness, swimming and athletics for the para athletes.
The Arafura Games is a multi-sports competition games organised by the Northern Territory, Australia. Held bi-annually, it has grown in quality and quantity since it was first organised in 1991 and Brunei Darussalam have joined the Arafura Games for 10 times including the para athletics events for five times.
The Brunei Darussalam Contingent is scheduled to depart to Darwin on different dates starting April 23.