The Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam (SOBD) delegation picked up their first medal yesterday at the Special Olympics World Summers Games in Athens, Greece.

The team of Saifullah Kahar, Li Chun Gid, Mardiana Mohd Yussap and Nuramaliyana Pg Hj Ibrahim won bronze in the M02 Bocce team event.

They got their campaign off to winning ways with a 10-7 triumph over the team of In Ao Ieong, Cheng Man Chong, Kuok Chi Kin and Lam Hong Chu of Macau.

However, they lost 6-7 to eventual winners Australia, represented by Andrew Robbins, Natalie Jansen, Ian Johns and Melissa Lee.

They then failed to bounce back against Macau in their second meeting losing 8-3 to see them take the bronze.

Australia won the gold after edging Macau 8-7 in the final.

An 18-strong contingent including six officials led by head of delegation Noel Mendiola are attending the June 19 - July 5 tournament.

Besides the quartet, the other athletes flying the Brunei flag include Muhammad Fhadillah Hj Morsidi, Lim Chow Ann, Shi Wei Koay, Aussrine Hj Adanan, Muhammad Hafiq Zulkifli, Abdul Hakim Hj Mohd Ali, Siti Nur Afifah Abdul Sahak and Nurhamraa' Chaine.

They are pupils of the Special Education Unit, Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam and Pusat Bahagia.

The athletes will compete in bocce and athletics.

Brunei were among the 164 countries and regions that participated at the previous edition of the Special Olympics in Shanghai, China, back in 2007.

The Brunei contingent of 22 athletes and 10 officials, who competed in bocce, athletics and football, returned home with a total medal haul of three gold, four silver and nine bronze medals four years ago.

Despite sending a smaller delegation, the team is aiming to maintain at least a three gold medal haul this year or better it.

Courtesy from Brunei Times