BRUNEI Darussalam national equestrian athlete Pengiran Mohd Nasir bin Pengiran Anak Ja’afar left for Indonesia yesterday to take part in the equestrian event at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta.

Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Haji Amer Hamzah bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria was present at the Brunei International Airport to send off the athlete.

Pengiran Mohd Nasir is making yet another appearance in the Asian Games, having participated in the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

The equestrian athlete will be looking to continue the form he picked up at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur a year ago after his efforts nearly yielded a podium finish. He came fourth overall despite finishing with a clear round and only quicker times separated him from bagging a medal.

Pengiran Mohd Nasir, who trains in Belgium, will be accompanied by long-term coach Lieven Devos and manager Abdul Karim bin Abdul Wahab.

The venue for equestrian is at the Jakarta International Equestrian Park, Jakarta with the qualification round of the individual jumping slated for August 27 and the final rounds on August 30.

Pengiran Mohd Nasir made the cut for the final round in both the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games, and is hoping to repeat the same feat in the Asian Games.

After settling down in Jakarta, the Belgium-based rider will be continuing his training on August 22 before the start of the competition.

The Brunei Darussalam contingent comprises 31 people including 15 athletes and 16 officials, and is led by the Chef de Mission Umi Kalthum binti Haji Abdul Karim.

Brunei will take part in seven sports events in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, namely wushu, pencak silat, equestrian, athletics, weightlifting, golf and karate.

Organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Asian Games are held every four years.

Courtesy from Borneo Bulletin