The 10 athletes for the Asian Para Games are crystal clear on their mission objective in Guangzhou from December 12-19.

"Various methods had been implemented to make sure athletes had undergone continuous training to reach a satisfying level of quality and performance," said acting director of Department of Youth and Sports Hj Malik Hj Mohammad, during the flag-handing ceremony at Dewan DiGadong of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) yesterday.

"Brunei's participation as always for every competition is to get medals and therefore, it is hoped that athletes will give a fight at the highest level and never give up to achieve glory," he said.

Guest of honour MCYS minister Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, who handed the Brunei national flag to chef-de-mission Hj Rosmadee Hj Mohd Daud, also echoed similar sentiments.

"It is hoped that athletes will perform their best with determination and spirit to give competition to the other athletes, to not waste the country's hope that expects the best from you," said Pehin Dato Hj Hazair during his speech.

Alihan Muda, the Sultanate's sole representative in October's New Delhi Commonwealth Games (CWG), will be one of the para-athletes competing and he is fully prepared for the challenge that lies ahead.

"I'm ready to compete. Since I got back from the CWG, I have continued my training regiment. The experience I have gathered will also be beneficial as it was my first time throwing in the F34 (seated) event," said Alihan, who finished sixth in a field of nine athletes in the CWG F34 shot put event with a best throw of 8.10m. Apart from the said event, the 37-year-old will also compete in the F34 javelin and discus throw events in Guangzhou.

Joining Alihan in the men's field events will be Sibuang Hj Kalong, Hirdan Hj Abd Kadir, Sahri Hj Jumat, John Vianni Anak Chandau and Rosli Hj Hastan.

Nor Hensan Hj Mataha will be Brunei's lone female challenging for a medal in the women's field events

All of the participants will contest in javelin, shot put and discus throw events in their respective categories.

Meanwhile Razali Subi, Martin Dawat and An Nurhaiyyu Md Yusof make up the contingent's representative in the track events.

Razali will spearhead the challenge in the 100-metre, 200m and long jump, while compatriots Martin and An Nurhaiyyu take on the 100m, 200m and 400m events.

Though the Sultanate's athletes returned from the November 12-27 Asian Games empty-handed, the para-athletes might just have what it takes to finish on the podium.

The country has a rich history competing at multi-sport events for disabled athletes, winning a bronze medal in the last edition of the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (Fespic) Games in Kuala Lumpur four years ago.

Sibuang finished third in the men's javelin F11 event to become the country's lone medallist.

Brunei has also tasted a lot of success at the Asean level, where they recorded their biggest ever haul of nine gold, five silver and eight bronze medals at last year's Asean Para Games, also held in the Malaysian capital. They also set three new Asean Para Games records at the fifth edition of the meet.

Undoubtedly one of the favourites in Guangzhou, Sibuang was also victorious last year, this time finishing on top of the podium in the men's javelin F11 event.

Alihan also shined at the Games, returning with a gold (men's shot put F35 event) and two silver medals (discus throw F35 and javelin F35). Also in his list of achievements was winning two gold medals (men's discus F35 and men's shot put F35) and a bronze (men's javelin F35) at the 2008 edition in Korat, Thailand.

A continuation of the Fespic Games, the inaugural edition of the Asian Para Games will see an estimated 5,500 athletes from 45 countries compete in the eight-day gold-rush.

Courtesy from Brunei Times