Official Website of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council
NEWS & EVENTS
Olympic Torch Run ignites sportsmanship
Sunday, February 12, 2012

(Top) Minister of Culture,Youth and
Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma
Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj
Hazair Hj Abdullah (L) holds the
Olympic torch with British High
Commissioner Rob Fenn (R)
during yesterday's Olympic Torch
Run in the capital.(Above) Para
athletes participating in the run.
Pictures:BT/ Amir Noor & Courtesy
of the British High Commission

Some 350 runners took a historic step by participating in the Sultanate's first Olympic Torch run yesterday in the capital.

The morning's event started with the flag-raising ceremony by British High Commissioner to Brunei Rob Fenn and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB).

The participants of the run comprised school students from Jerudong International School (JIS), St George's School, St Andrew's School, Chung Hwa Middle School, Sungai Siamas School, Pusar Ulak School and Mabohai School

"We got a lot of different schools involved in this event, combining sports and international events together, it is great and I hope this event will inspire young people," said Colin Dickinson, one of the participants of yesterday's run.

"I also thought because we have the paralympics athletes joining us in the run today, that they are people who face challenges in their lives but are still competing in sports. I hope they will inspire the people," he added.Meanwhile, Helen Kang, the representative from St Andrew's Secondary School believed that such events will help the development of young students.

"The spirit of sportsmanship, that is the spirit that we want to instill in these young kids. Brunei being a small nation, they are not aware of the history of the Olympic torch, it is a good initiative that Brunei is initiating the event for the first time," she said.

"Hope this event will help inculcate the value of sportsmanship in the students, they are excited about the running, but then we have to go back to school and tell them what the event is all about," added Kang.

Fenn and Pehin Dato Hj Hazair participated in the run with friends and colleagues, including those from the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (the para athletes) and heads of diplomatic missions.-Ak Fauzi Salleh

Courtesy from Brunei Times