His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah yesterday expressed high hopes for the national contingent to be able to borne their responsibilities and duties as professional athletes at the 26th SEA Games, by emphasising on the importance of discipline, commitment and confidence in the biennial multi-sport event.
HRH in his capacity as President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council cum the guest-of-honour during the handing-over ceremony of the national flag for the 26th SEA Games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium yesterday self-assured that with high determination and morale, the Brunei athletes will be able to bring home more medals this year.
“I am confident that through the intensive training and exercises undertaken by the athletes overseas will be leveraged and adapted during the competitions,” HRH said, before adding “I am also full of hopes the athletes will not be weak-willed and short minded, but instead driven to be more focussed in professional ways in achieving glory.”
In an interview with the Sunday Bulletin, HRH reminded that “skills and preparedness alone will not bring back the medals if they are not performed with high confidence and courage”.
In addition, he instead cautioned that the medals obtained must be worthy of their efforts, as to avoid disputes that may question their victories.
“It is understood that the national contingent has made plans and preparations to ensure that all athletes are equipped to compete, and I hope those preparations would be of great assistance for them to strive further throughout the competitions,” HRH added.
Accompanying HRH during the ceremony was YAM Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul `Aleem.
The national flag was handed over by HRH to Hj Abdul Malik bin Hj Mohammad, the chef-de-mission of the national contingent to the 26th SEA Games.
The ceremony also saw the presentation of Brunei’s contingent sports attire sponsored by Telekom Brunei Berhad (TelBru), and present to hand it over was Awg Hj Umar Ali bin Hj Abdullah, Acting CEO of TelBru to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah.
The sports attire was later presented to the Brunei’s chef-de-mission to the 26th SEA games and Secretary-General of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council Hj Zuraimi Hj Abdul Sani.
The national contingent will be competing in 11 sports – cue sports, petanque, sepak takraw, ten pin bowling, soccer, fencing, karatedo, pencak silat, kempo, taekwondo and wushu. The national contingent is set to arrive at Palembang-Jakarta, Indonesia on November 8.
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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