IT was a memorable May as far as Brunei sports or to be more specific, football is concerned. Suspended from international football from September 2009, the world governing body for football the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) finally lifted its suspension on Brunei in May. So remember this date: May 30, 2011. The good news was largely thanks to His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah (pic, top right), the president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, who acted as chairman of the normalisation committee tasked with getting the country's football association back on track. The Prince and his team started the ball rolling in early April after a meeting with FIFA Emergency Committee. And the process culminated with the best news for Brunei football in 20 months FIFA lifting the ban on the Sultanate on May 30. FIFA then confirmed that Brunei is being restored with full member privileges. This means Brunei is able to play at the international stage again and is also eligible once again for FIFA's Financial Assistance Programme and Goal Project. FIFA members receive an annual FAP boon of US$250,000 plus bonuses. The Goal Project, meanwhile, is a tailor-made development and assistance programme for member countries. Football being the No 1 sport in the country, Brunei playing the beautiful game again for example the Under-21 team's participation at December's Borneo Games (pic, above) was the best thing to happen in the local sports scene last this year. Thus, football is BT Sports' biggest winner in 2011. Pictures: BT/ Infofoto