Official Website of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council
NEWS & EVENTS
Call to knock out ‘favouritism’
Saturday, July 17, 2021
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The Sultanate will send a contingent of two athletes and five officials to the Tokyo Olympics 2020 from July 23 to August 8. Photo shows His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, presenting a Brunei Darussalam national flag to Chef de Mission of Brunei Darussalam Contingent to the Tokyo Olympics 2020 Umi Kalthum binti Haji Abdul Karim.


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His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council delivers a sabda during the ceremony yesterday. PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR


His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) called on national sports associations to stop the practice of ‘favouritism’ in selecting athletes to compete at national, regional and international competitions.

His Royal Highness made the remark yesterday during the handing over event of the national flag to the Brunei Darussalam contingent who will compete in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 in Japan.

The BDNOC President urged associations to give athletes opportunities based on their merits and capabilities, adding that, “national sports associations must continue to develop their respective sports development programme to produce more young athletes.

“From what I have seen, some associations practice favouritism in assessing and giving opportunity to their athletes to be selected at national, regional and international competitions. Such attitude should not be adopted because it can affect the national sports development,” His Royal Highness added.

National sports associations, His Royal Highness said, “need to be more proactive in giving and opening up opportunity for their athletes. Like in every Olympic Games, ‘Universality Places’ are only given to athletics and swimming with the requirement of athletes participating in tournaments recognised by IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) and FINA (International Swimming Federation).

“Therefore, give opportunity to capable athletes competing in tournaments recognised by IAAF and FINA so that our nation can have a choice in assessing athletes to be selected for international competitions,” His Royal Highness said.

The BDNOC President also urged sports associations to have development programmes to produce female athletes for regional and international tournaments such as the Olympics, which is in support of IOC (International Olympic Committee) Mission and Role in Olympic Charter 1.2.8 that states to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures with a view to implement the principle of gender equality.

Representing Brunei Darussalam in the Tokyo Olympics, held from July 23 to August 8, are Mohd Firdaus Ar-Rasyid bin Haji Mohd Idris who will be competing in the men’s 200-metre run, while Muhammad Isa bin Haji Ahmad will be competing in the 100-metre breaststroke swimming. They are accompanied by five officials.

The country’s participation in the Games has shown its commitment and unity in support of the Olympic Games goals in providing opportunity to all IOC member countries to compete in the Games arena despite not having any qualified athletes.

“In addition, it is an obligation for all member countries of IOC in line with regulation 27.3 of Olympic Charter to participate in Olympic Games,” His Royal Highness said.

His Royal Highness congratulated Mohd Firdaus Ar-Rasyid and Muhammad Isa after they were selected by IAAF and FINA and given ‘Universality Places’.

His Royal Highness hoped the athletes will showcase their their best effort and also to break national or personal records.

National athletes are also advised to keep a long-term aim to qualify for the Olympic Games “without having to rely on universality spots anymore”, His Royal Highness added.

Besides complying to the regulations and standard operating procedures set up by IOC and the organiser, the BDNOC President also reminded athletes and officers to always stay vigilant amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Athletes are also reminded to stay away from using prohibited substances while abiding to the Act and Regulations of Anti Doping enforced by the World Anti Doping agency (WADA).

Courtesy from Borneo Bulletin