His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council with the athletes competing in Athletics – Md Fakfri bin Ismail and Muhammad Noor Firdaus Ar-Rasyid. – PHOTOS: KHAIRIL HASSAN
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah with the Wushu athletes and coaches
THIRTY-ONE individuals comprising 15 athletes will represent Brunei Darussalam in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta Palembang, Indonesia which will take place from August 18-September 2.
In this year’s edition, national athletes will compete in seven sports namely Athletics, Wushu, Weightlifting, Golf, Equestrian (jumping), Karate and Pencak Silat.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin congratulated the athletes who will represent the country in the tournament.
“The selection of athletes is a testament to each of the athlete’s high potential and talent. Asian Games is regarded as a prestigious sporting event and it’s the biggest in the region organised by the Olympic Council of Asia. Together, we must remember that with the trust given to wave the national flag in the sporting event, the country has placed high hopes on you,” he said.
“Therefore, each athlete must continue to fight on and work hard to achieve success. Although the target is winning medals, it is more important for each athlete to have a high competitive spirit as a professional athlete. As we understand, besides being highly skilled, professionalism needs solid self-confidence, strong discipline, high motivation and full of concentration.”
The minister also expressed his confidence that through this competition, Brunei athletes will be able to further build their physical and mental strengths as preparation for future sporting events including the Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines next year.
At the same time, the minister highlighted, “As a national contingent, each athlete needs to display a united front every time. Our athletes should be one hearted to do their best for the country. Show high spirit of patriotism by maintaining a good image of the country while at the games. With such discipline, I believe that you will bring a good name to the country.”
Representing Brunei are Md Fakfri bin Ismail (Athletics), Muhammad Noor Firdaus Ar-Rasyid (Athletics), Mohammad Sufi Shayiran bin Roslan (Wushu), Mohammad Adi Salihin bin Roslan (Wushu), Basma Lachkar (Wushu), Ang Guat Lian (Wushu), Awangku Yusri Amir bin Pengiran Dato Setia Yusof (Weightlifting), Pengiran Mohd Nasir bin Pengiran Anak Jaafar (Equestrian – jumping), Wahidah binti Kamarulzaman (Karate), Awangku Muhd Syakir bin Pengiran Haji Ali (Golf) and Mohd Aritz Maldini (Golf).
Norleyermah binti Haji Raya, Anisah Najihah binti Abdullah, Qistina Athirah binti Zainal and Nur Azimatunnaemah binti Simat will compete in the Pencak Silat event.
This will be an improved participation count for the country as Brunei only competed in four sports events during the previous edition of the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
