Sport for Development & Peace (SDP) was the theme of the fifth meeting of Commonwealth Sports Ministers held in New Delhi, on Monday.

Held in conjunction with the 19th Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the Brunei contingent was headed by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah. Also present was permanent secretary at the ministry, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar.

The meeting was attended by 89 representatives, which included 39 representatives of the Commonwealth countries and the United Nations (UN), Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Commonwealth Advisory Board on Sport (Cabos), United Nation Children's Fund (Unicef) and World Anti-Doping Association (Wada).

The meeting heard briefings from representatives of the UN and Cabos regarding initiatives aimed at improving the programme and SDP activities which cater to youth and children.

The meeting also heard SDP case studies in Ghana and Africa from the Ghanaian minister, and developments in anti-doping from Wada officials especially in the field of education awareness programmes.

The ministers pointed out the importance of increasing awareness about community sports programmes and supported the efforts in increasing cooperation among all the stakeholders to make SDP a success.

Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair said that Brunei wanted to work with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the respective agencies to carry out the SDP's goals.

With the consensus reached in the measures that need to be taken and the steps that have to be followed, the ministers believed that the efforts in achieving the SDP agenda will be seen in the time leading up to 2012, when the sixth meeting will be held in conjunction with the London Olympics.

The ministers also stressed the need for a unified effort in educating and informing the public about anti-doping, especially the youth.

At the meeting Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair and his counterparts also congratulated hosts India for last Sunday's successful Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Courtesy from Brunei Times