The Brunei contingent made its return yesterday at the Brunei International Airport after making the Sultanate proud at the 6th ASEAN Para Games in Solo, Indonesia.

Families and friends welcomed the country's para-athletes with open arms, all waiting to congratulate them on a job well done.

Brunei finished in eighth place with a total of three gold, five silver and eight bronze medals in the 11-team table. Thailand was first with 121 gold, 94 silver and 72 bronze medals.

While the Sultanate's medal haul fell short of what was expected, Chef de mission Hj Rosmadee Hj Md Daud was still happy with the results.

"I targeted four gold medals but we have to take into consideration that we don't know what the other countries can do. But now we do. They are really good but I hope that our athletes keep on training because there are young potential athletes that could be the future stars," Hj Rosmadee told The Brunei Times.

"The athletes tried very hard (in Indonesia) and I'm happy that they won eighth," he said.

The chef de mission then revealed that the next big event will hopefully be their participation in the London 2012 Paralympics that is set to take place on Aug 29 through to Sept 9 of the New Year.

He added that they have qualified on current grounds but their validity will depend on the fluctuation of standards of the other countries.

It'll be a waiting game to see if they have fully cemented their place in the London event.

Alihan Muda, who is the biggest contributor with two gold medals in the discus and shot put event expressed, "I feel extremely happy to have won the two gold medals."

"I just want to thank His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) for their support and motivation to perform well in the Indonesia event."

"For now, I'll prepare myself again for the next event, whatever it may be, to display a performance that trumps this one."

Shari Hj Juma'at delivered the Sultanate's final gold medal in the men's Javelin F55 with a distance of 26.22 metres a new Games record.

Present yesterday to welcome the para-athletes home were Deputy Minister at the MCYS Datin Hjh Adina Othman, Permanent Secretary of MCYS Hj Mohd Hamid Hj mohd Jaafar and Acting Director of MCYS Hj Abdul Malik Hj Mohammad.

Courtesy from Brunei Times