President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah (R), Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah (2nd L) and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar during the committee meeting for evaluation and selection of national athletes yesterday. HRH is still in search for answers on how the country can do better at the Southeast Asian Games. Brunei finished at the bottom of the 11-team table during the past two editions in Indonesia and Myanmar, and HRH feels that turning back the clock can help provide some answers. 'In my opinion, so far the performances of the national athletes are at a disappointing level compared to the 1999 SEA Games held here,' said HRH in his sabda yesterday. 'I feel it is good to review why the efforts and planning for the 1999 SEA Games produced excellent results. Maybe the methods and training programmes used at that time are still relevant,' he said. Picture: BT/Ridhwan Kamarulzaman
HIS Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC), speaks during the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports' national selection and evaluation committee's meeting at the Conference Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday. BT/ Ridhwan Kamarulzaman
National silat exponent Hj Md Khairul Bahrin Hj Duraman holds up his gold medal after winning the men's pencak silat tunggal event at the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos. His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, is in search of answers on how the country can do better at the SEA Games. Picture: BT file
His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC), is searching for answers on how the country can do better at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
The Sultanate's best performance was back in 1999 where they won four gold medals. It was also the only time Brunei hosted the competition.
Other than that, they have never won more than one gold at the Games.
To make matters worse, Brunei finished at the bottom of the 11-team table during the past two editions in Indonesia and Myanmar, and HRH felt that turning back the clock can help provide some answers.
"In my opinion, so far the performances of the national athletes are at a disappointing level compared to the 1999 SEA Games held here," said HRH in his sabda during the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports' national selection and evaluation committee's meeting at the Conference Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday.
"I feel it is good to review why the efforts and planning for the 1999 SEA Games produced excellent results. Maybe the methods and training programmes used at that time are still relevant," he said.
"In the context of the 30th SEA Games which will be held here in 2019... is not far away," continued HRH.
The BDNOC president also raised some questions regarding plans on sports development.
"Questions about the research, training systems and programmes for the development of athletes and sports for the short term (intensive) and long term, are still unanswered," said HRH.
"This matter... I've touched on many times since 2009 and I will never cease to ask, for the sake of progress and excellence in sports in the country," he added.
HRH once again stressed on the seriousness of doping and is hoping that additional measures will be taken to ensure athletes stay away from banned substances.
"As we all know, lately there are a lot of cases of doping involving athletes, including those of world status," said HRH.
"This problem is very serious and should be taken very seriously by each athlete and the parties concerned. This is because starting January 1, 2015, the new WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Code will take effect in which the penalty for an athlete who tests positive for doping will be suspended from participating in competitions for four years.
"I want to suggest that we add a sixth criteria - clean from drugs and banned substances - to the existing five, namely passes in fitness tests, good disciplinary records, improvements during training, satisfactory attendance records and potential to win medals.
"The parties concerned should also always advise all athletes who will represent the country to stay away from drugs and controlled substances.
"As I have suggested before, the ministry and BDNOC should run random doping tests on selected athletes before they leave to join the contingent.
"Random tests are not limited to elite athletes but also other athletes, and it is at the option of the party itself. The dates and times are subject to the ministry and BDNOC," added HRH, who is also the president of the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD).
HRH also advised all athletes taking unknown supplements or medicines to consult a professional before consuming, and declaring what they are taking before the competition starts.
