Launching: Chef De Mission,
Pengiran Sabri Pengiran Hj
Mohammad, Deputy Director of
the Youth and Sports Department
of the Ministry of Culture, Youth
and Sports. Picture: BT/Jefrisalas

WITH less than a month to go before the 3rd Borneo Games, the official launch of the Sports Training Centre for the Brunei contingent was held yesterday at the Sports Village of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

The Brunei contingent is made up of some 179 athletes - 130 male and 49 female - who will be taking part in the intensive training at the Sports Village.

Present as guest of honour at the event was Hj Mohamad Penglima Asgar Dato Paduka Hj Abdullah, Director of Youth and Sports Department of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, who highlighted in his speech that the athletes are to take this opportunity to do their best and to learn from their coaches from both mental and physical sides which is important in competition.

The training centre is used as preparations for the Game slated from Nov 29 to Dec 6 in hope of produce good results and to achieve a better medal haul compared to that two years ago.

Other reasons towards this step of a training centre was to produce a group of athletes who have the the mindset to build on their self confidence, determination and will to further improve themselves either as a single athlete of team together with the coaches whenever needed to know and understand the way as national athletes.

It is also to help improve the morals of the athletes and teams by following the programmes and activites that have been planned for the training.

One of the managers of the nine sports felt that this was necessary in terms of preparations towards the start of the competition.

"I believe that this is a good form of preparation for the athletes before the games," said Hj Abdul Razak Hj Dali, the manager of Pencak Silat. "They should be able to gain more stamina and improve on their enrudance including their mental toughness. They will just have to concentrate fully before the Games start from here on."

The 10 Silat exponents have been selected by the National Pencak Silat Association (PERSIB) based on their performances in the National Day Silat Open, the Sultans Cup and also from the National Sports Festival (PSK) and National Youth Sports Festival (PSR).

Hj Abdul Razak is also optimistic about obtaining some medals at the Games. "We are aiming for at least two gold medals. I believe that they can do it after they started training in August under Pg Saiful Radin Pg Tajuddin and Hj Adanan Ahad." The training will be from Nov 5-26.

Courtesy from Brunei Times