His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC), paid a courtesy visit to Al-Musannah Sports City, in Muscat yesterday.

The BNOC president is in Oman to attend the ongoing 2nd Asian Beach Games (ABG).

According to the ABG's website, Prince Sufri, gave the thumbs up to the Sports City, saying: "The Sports City is very beautiful, I am impressed."

Welcomed by the Muscat Asian Beach Games' Organising Committee and joined by Brunei's chef-de-mission Kifli Hj Jaafar and various national athletes, Prince Sufri showed particular interest in the Culture Zone set up along the Sports City's sea-front.

HRH spent time talking to Sultan Qaboos University students, who were volunteering at the Culture Zone, and picked up a few souvenirs at the Craft Market in support of the Al-Musannah Women's Association and Sidab Sewing Group.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Asian Beach Games in Muscat was officially opened in spectacular fashion by His Highness Sayyid Fahd Mahmoud al Said, the deputy minister for the Council of Ministers, Sultanate of Oman, on Wednesday. "I declare the ABG open," said His Highness at the ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of international dignitaries including International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.

The crowd was wowed by fireworks, music and dances which showcased Oman's history and heritage.

International stars Libyan pop star Massari and Thai singer Tata Young were among the 500 to perform during the opening ceremony.

The first day of competition yesterday witnessed a goal fest in the first matches of beach football and beach waterpolo at Al Musannah Sports City.

Thirty-two goals were recorded in four matches, as Japan, China, Iran and Bahrain won their preliminary round games in the beach football competition.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's Mikhail Ruday notched seven goals in his country's 17-5 win over Indonesia, creating the Games' record victory margin in beach waterpolo.

India's Sunder Singh, contesting at his first international competition, was the first to celebrate before his event even started. In a random ballot to assign horses to riders in tent pegging, the 46-year-old Indian received the dream horse.

The Sultanate's sole representatives, the national sepak takraw team, will only see action on Monday when the men's regu preliminary stage begins. Led by chef de mission Kifli, the national athletes who will fly the flag for Brunei at the Dec 8-16 tournament are Azri Tahir, Hadi Ariffin Matali, Ismail Ang, Mohd Amin Mahari, Nur Alimin Sungguh and Shukor Jaineh.

Courtesy from Brunei Times