His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah has been elected the new president of the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD).

Brunei's governing body for football held the 5th Extraordinary Congress to reelect its Executive Committee yesterday at the NFABD House in Berakas.

It was held because other members wished to see changes for football development in the country.

HRH replaces his predecessor Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Mohiddin at the helm and will complete the remainder of the 2011-2015 term.

Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar was elected as his deputy.

Four district football association representatives, one referee representative and five members were also elected yesterday.

Hj Abdul Razak Hj Ibrahim was named from the Brunei-Muara District Football Association, Hj Meramit Hj Damit from Temburong District Amateur Football Association while the duo of Takong Ahmad and Morni Hj Zakaria were reelected for the Tutong District Amateur Football Association and Belait District Amateur Football Association respectively.

Abdul Halim Hj Metussin was chosen to represent the Brunei Darussalam Football Referees Association.

The five members were Hj Mohd Noor Hj Hamid (Brunei-Muara District Football Association), Ah Chua Bangau (Temburong District Amateur Football Association), Muhammad Radzuan Hj Madali (Kilanas FC), Bujang Hj Japar (Tutong District Amateur Football Association) and Jamhari Lani (Belait District Amateur Football Association).

Present to witness the event were Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, the President of the Football Federation of Timor Leste, James Johnson, Director of AFC (Asian Football Confederation) MA/International Relation and Development, and FIFA Development Officer Jeysing Muthiah from KL.

They are representatives sent by the respective organisations to observe the congress as it is a requirement.

HRH was all smiles and knows the task at hand now that he is to lead the sport in the Sultanate.

"I feel very honoured and happy to be appointed the president of NFABD. I want to thank those (football club representatives) who nominated for me for presidency to lead football in the country," said HRH in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"I would like to thank the former executive committee members for their efforts over the past two years. The FIFA and AFC representatives are happy with the professionalism of NFABD on running the elections in the morning as well.

"For the short term, we are looking at strengthening the administration with the appointment of new executive committee members. They should know their responsibilities and duties.

"We are also looking at working together with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to help develop the sport further," added HRH, who was formerly the honorary president of NFABD.

"We are looking at infrastructure for our mid-term goal. FIFA has provided a certain budget from the Goal Project and we are looking at getting new football fields according to FIFA standards. We are also looking at building indoor courts for futsal as well as promote beach football."

"And for the long term plan, we hope to run a programme to create quality football players.

"We are also looking at ways on gathering revenue and income for the association," continued HRH.

The AFC elections will be held in May and asked if there were any plans on chasing for a position, HRH replied: "Brunei is entitled to vote but we will see when the time comes."

Members of the public can propose ideas or send in complaints formally to NFABD with full name, address and contact details.

More information can be obtained by contacting Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof at 8711972, the secretary-general Hj Mohd Noor Hj Hamid at 8748195 or assistant secretary-general Pg Zulkarnain Pg Hj Md Noor at 8622083.

Inquiries can also be made by calling the NFABD house at 2380047.

Courtesy from Brunei Times