The Brunei contingent with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and officials. - PHOTOS: JAMES KON

James Kon (Borneo Bulletin)

HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the president of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council has called on all administrators and coaches of the national sports associations to continuously be motivated and prepare effective training programme for each athlete in order to raise the athlete’s capabilities.

HRH stated this in his Sabda which was delivered by Pehin Dato Dr Hj Awang Ahmad bin Hj Jumat, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, the personal representative for HRH in a flag handing-over ceremony for the 1″ Asian Martial Arts Games to be held in Bangkok, Thailand

In the Sabda, HRH highlighted: “Looking at the vast opportunities provided by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s government to the country’s potential athletes, I would like to advise each athlete to further increase their efforts and hard work.

“This is because strong spirit and will as well as self-confidence are not enough to achieve success. Therefore, I would like to urge all
administrators and coaches to always inject motivation and put in order continuous effective training programme for the athletes.”

HRH also said: “The handing-over of the national flag today proved that Brunei Darusalam although is a country with a small population, still possess high spirit in competing with overseas’ athletes who have long established their name at international sports.”

“In addition, the participation of the country’s athletes in the competition is a testament that the country’s athletes have high performance,” HRH added.

Speaking of the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games, HRH said: “It is expected that some 1,000 to 1,500 athletes from 45 countries in Asia will take part in nine events whereby Brunei Dams-salam will have six athletes
participating in two sporting events namely Karate-do and Pencek Silat.”

“The participation of the athletes is important as a symbol of support of our country to the Olympic Council of Asia and International Olympic Committee as well as to assess the preparation and training, which have been received by our athletes. The participation will also be used as a preparation to compete in the 25th SEA Games to be held in Laos at the end of this year.”

In concluding the sabda, HRH reminded all athletes and officers to always take care of their health and take precautionary measures against Influenza A (H1N1) as advised by Ministry of Health.

Dayang Mariam binti Ulat, the chef-demission of the Brunei contingent said in an interview: “As this is the first time we are participating in the games, we are not sure how strong the other athletes will be. Therefore our athletes will try to do their best and achieve a good result.”

She also revealed that the six athletes have been training since early last year. The six athletes are Amirul Ahat, Khuzaiman bin Ahmad and Pg Khairul Bahri bin Pg Ali Umar (pencak silat), Md Fadillah bin Hj Sanif, Muhd Fid’ly bin Hj Sanif and Hj Eddie Jofriani bin Hj Johari (karate-do).

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