His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) hands over the flag to Pengiran Siti Amal Jariah binti Pengiran Haji Matjinen, the Chef de Mission of Brunei Darussalam’s contingent to the 23rd Commonwealth Games. PHOTOS: RAFI ROSLI
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah with the athletes.
Six athletes will represent Brunei Darussalam at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2 after receiving the national flag during the Flag Handover Ceremony for the Brunei Darussalam contingent at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on Monday.
The national flag was presented by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC).
The six athletes, comprising three men and three women, will compete in three of the Games’ 10 sports – athletics, swimming and weightlifting. They will be accompanied by six officials, bringing the total size of the national contingent to 12 members.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Awang Haji Metassan bin Haji Tahir, followed by a welcoming address by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha.
His Royal Highness then delivered a sabda before presenting the national flag to Pengiran Siti Amal Jariah binti Pengiran Haji Matjinen, the Chef de Mission of Brunei Darussalam’s contingent to the 23rd Commonwealth Games.
Among those present were Acting British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Ken O’Flaherty; Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Awang Aliuddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman; Deputy Permanent Secretary at the ministry Dayang Hajah Noridah binti Abdul Hamid; members of the National Athlete Selection and Evaluation Supreme Committee; representatives of national sports associations; senior officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and family members of the athletes.
Brunei Darussalam first participated in the Commonwealth Games in 1990, with its most recent appearance at the 2022 edition in Birmingham, England. The national contingent is scheduled to depart for Glasgow on July 19 and 21. – Yusrin Junaidi
