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 delivering his remarks. PHOTO: RAHWANI ZAHARI
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) yesterday morning presented the national flag to the Brunei Darussalam contingent heading to the 30th Southeast Asia (SEA) Games in the Philippines from November 30 to December 11.
Haji Muhd Zamri bin Dato Paduka Haji Hamdani as the Chef de Mission of Brunei Darussalam contingent received the national flag.
Held at the National Indoor Stadium, the ceremony was also attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah, the captain of the Brunei Darussalam National Netball Team; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Abdul Badee’ bin Pengiran Kerma Raja Pengiran Haji Kamarulzaman, Assistant Coach of the TENPIN bowling squad; Faiq Jefri Bolkiah, the captain of the national football team; and 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.
The Brunei Darussalam Contingent comprises 161 people consisting 87 athletes and 74 officers.
Brunei Darussalam will compete in 14 sporting events namely Aquatic, Athletic, Billiard Sport, Fencing, Football, Golf, Karate Do, Lawn Bowling, Netball, Pencak Silat, Polo, Taekwondo, Tenpin Bowling and Wushu.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in his remarks said that athletes should be proud of being selected in the SEA Games contingent because the selection is based on the level of skill, professionalism and high commitment among the best of the best.
“It is undeniable that it is not easy to be at this level because this can only be achieved by the athlete’s sacrifice and investment of energy continuously. Each athlete has done their preparations tirelessly and in high spirits. Alhamdullilah, it is proven that the athletes are on track to achieve excellence in the competition later,” he said.
“The contingent is prepared to achieve the best. Obtaining medals is not something that is impossible to achieve. Each of our athletes is capable of competing and I am confident that they will fly the Brunei Darussalam National Flag with glory,” he added.
The minister also highlighted that “what is most important is the high level of confidence towards achieving success that comes with prayer. We will continue to give support and prayers in the duration of our athletes’ competition. It is the hope of the country for its athletes to perform well and win each participating sporting events as well as to improve the nation’s winning records from previous SEA Games”.
“With the passion to achieve excellence, it is also important that the athletes need to be in high discipline and sporting spirit to maintain the good name and image of Brunei Darussalam. Display and be proud of upholding the Malay Islamic Monarchy philosophy by respecting each other.”
