Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bulqiah (R) graces the opening of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce Competition at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex. Picture: BT/ Zamri Zainal

The message that everyone will end up being a winner was conveyed during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce Competition yesterday at the Multipurpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

The Co-Chairperson of the Working Committee, Dato Paduka Hj Jemat Hj Ampal, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports said in his opening remarks: "Winning is not the ultimate target of this sport. More importantly, it is the courage, confidence, effort and friendship of the intellectually challenged individuals that we seek to foster throughout the competition."

Gracing the opening ceremony as the guest of honour was Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bulqiah.

Also in attendance was Datin Hjh Adina Othman, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Four countries in the Asia Pacific region hosts Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and New Zealand are participating in the four-day tournament.

This is the third time that the Sultanate is hosting the competition since its inception in 2005, and is the first time the competition is held in an indoor venue.

It aims to foster sportsmanship amongst special athletes in the Asia Pacific region and also promote a healthy lifestyle amongst the participants.

Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam (SOBD) also organised a certified Bocce technical officials' course, which is conducted by Ng Kum Loy, a regional trainer for Special Olympic Asia Pacific, to 60 volunteers.

In addition, this year's event highlights the theme of health promotion amongst the special athletes as the Sultanate has been chosen as the venue for the upcoming Healthy Athlete 'Train the Trainer in Health Promotion' workshop which started on Thursday till today at the Health Promotion Centre of the Ministry of Health in Berakas.

The participants will be certified by the Special Olympics International (SO), following the training, as health promotion clinical directors in their respective countries and SO programmes.

They will be given the responsibility of running health promotion programmes which include screening and giving advice to individuals with intellectual disabilities, helping them adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The competition will continue today with both the Singles and Doubles events.

Courtesy from Brunei Times