National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam President His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah (2nd L) officially launches NFABD's website as YAM Pg Muda 'Abdul 'Aleem (3rd R), the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah (R) and other officials look on at the NFABD House in Berakas yesterday. BT/Yusri Adanan
The National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) yesterday launched their official website so as to keep the public better informed about football issues in the country.
The website (www.nfabd.org) will help interested parties maintain up to date with all the latest football news and developments in the country, and it also serves as a means to promote activities and courses that will be conducted by NFABD.
Present to officiate the launching ceremony at the Conference Room of the NFABD House in Berakas was NFABD President His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah. Also present during the event were YAM Pg Muda 'Abdul 'Aleem and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah.
"The website is designed and made by a local company named Netservo, and the input and the content of it (website) will be made by us," said NFABD General Secretary Hj Mohd Zamri Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani yesterday.
"So from today onwards, all activities pertaining to NFABD and anything related to football, including news on FIFA, AFC, AFF and even local club DPMM FC, can be found on the website. "Our administrative officer and representative from the company will be updating the news from time to time and for the HBT (tournament), we will be updating and providing links of the tournaments on the website," he added.
Brunei, as the hosts of the August 9-23 regional Under-21 tournament, chose to be in Group B alongside Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. Group A comprises of Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Timor Leste and Thailand. Defending champions Brunei will kick off their campaign against Cambodia at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on August 9 before playing Singapore four days later.
They will face their biggest test in the group when they play Vietnam on August 16 before ending their group stage play against Malaysia two days later. The HBT is the brainchild of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who desired that an Under-21 football tournament be organised with the aim of improving friendship and understanding between Southeast Asian youth through sports.
The tournament aims at attracting the best football teams in Southeast Asia, and at the same time, to expose ASEAN to the world in sports. Only three countries: Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei, have won the tournament since its introduction in 2002. Thailand, who did not compete in 2012, won the tournament back in 2007 after beating Myanmar 5-4 on penalties.
Thailand beat Myanmar to win the 2005 edition while Indonesia - who will not be returning this year - won the inaugural competition in 2002. Speaking during a tadarus and iftar ceremony on Tuesday, YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair called for the team to adapt a positive mindset ahead of the regional meet. "As defending champions, I am very sure that we will always face challenges and pressure," he said.
"Moreover, the expectation from the fans is very high and I believe that they are expecting us to win the title again this year. "I am very sure that the other countries will have respect for us as the defending champions, and I believe that they will (also) have high expectation from us and will give their best to beat us.
"So what we need from the HBT team, including the manager, coach, assistant coaches and the players, is that they need to have a positive mindset and high level of confidence. "Now it is not the time to look back and it is also not the time for us to come up with negative reasons and excuses. As a team we must look forward.
"The most important thing is for us now is to have the determination to win, especially with the tournament only less than a month away. "We should not look at the issues that will only put the team's confidence and spirit down, and this includes giving negative excuses and reasons.
"As a team. This is their responsibility to the country and they must work very hard to fulfill the expectation of the public, especially the fans," added YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair.
