ABOVE & BELOW: His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, attended the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia; and the Bruneian delegation parades during the opening ceremony. PHOTOS: SECRETARIAT & AFP
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC), attended the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh last night.
The opening ceremony was filled with grand splendour and a sea of colours as Cambodia officially welcomes the region’s best and brightest sporting talents.
The highlight of the event witnessed Brunei Darussalam national contingent making an appearance during the Parade of Nations.
National pencak silat athlete Mohd Ali Saifullah bin Haji Mohd Suhaimi was the flag bearer.
Some 10,890 delegation members from 11 nations are participating in the biennial meet this year.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) Dr Thong Khun in his capacity as the Chairman of the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) delivered welcoming remarks followed by a speech from Chairman of the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Commitee (CAMSOC) Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh.
Acting Director for Youth and Sports Development Zainab binti Haji Morshidi in her capacity as the Chef de Mission led the Bruneian contingent comprising 100 members including 35 secretariat officers, coaches and medical officers; as well as 65 athletes in 12 sports.
The 12 sports include aquatics swimming, athletics, badminton, billiards and snooker, e-sports, fencing, karatedo, obstacle race, pencak silat, petanque, weightlifting and wushu.
The early segments of the event saw a well-rehearsed and synchronised performance with performers dressed in traditional attire set in a cinematic backdrop.
The event also featured a performance celebrating the wonder of Angkor inspired by traditional characters synonymous of the nation’s heritage accompanied by lively music.
The competition also carries the theme ‘Sports Live in Peace’.
It will be the first time that the multi-sport showcase will be hosted by Cambodia, ending a 64-year wait since the inception in 1959.
