His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, yesterday left Brunei to attend the 3rd Asian Beach Games to be held at the coastal city of Haiyang of Shandong Province in China.

Present at the Brunei International Airport in Berakas to see HRH off were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah and other officials from the ministry.

The national sepak takraw team are the only ones flying the flag for the Sultanate at the June 16-22 competition.

This is their third time competing in the tournament after winning joint-bronze in the past two editions of the multi-sport event.

National coach Ittiphol Chomchaissak had taken the team to train with the best Thailand over a period of three weeks to prepare for the tournament.

The six-man squad Ismail Ang, Mohd Azri Tahir, Mohd Shukri Jaineh, Abdul Amin Mahari, Nur Alimin Sunggoh and newcomer Mohd Basyiruddin Hj Kamis will compete in the inter-regu event.

They have been grouped with Myanmar and Indonesia and one victory is enough to see them through to the next round.

More than 2,000 athletes from 44 Asian countries and regions will compete at the Games which will feature 49 events from 13 sports. The opening ceremony will be held tomorrow.

Courtesy from Brunei Times