Md Shahriffudin Salleh (C), Md
Qazzri Fakhri Hj Aslimon (L) and
Florence Sea Wern Lyn (R) upon
arrival at the Brunei International
Airport, Berakas, last night.
Picture: BT/Yusri Adanan

The Bruneian trio participating in the Dream Program 2013 in South Korea returned last night with two of them bringing home gold and silver medals for Alpine Skiing.

Runner Md Shahriffuddin Salleh, golfer Md Qazzri Fakhri Hj Aslimon and swimmer Florence Sea Wern Lyn participated in the programme which began on January 6 and featured over 150 athletes from 40 countries.

Md Shahriffuddin said that he was happy to have been able to win gold at a sport he has never tried before.

"It's not like we have Alpine Skiing in Brunei so I am very happy that I managed to get first place," he told The Brunei Times.

Md Qazzri said that he just tried his best and did not expect to win anything.

"I just gave it my best shot and was surprised that I won silver and was only a few seconds behind my teammate," he said.

He said that although skiing was a new experience, it was one that was relatively easy to learn.

"I really enjoyed it especially going down the slopes because I liked the speed... if i was given another chance I would definitely do it again," he said.

Coach Umi Karim, who accompanied the trio, said that they were subject to intensive skiing training for beginners for about a week.

"They had a tight schedule during that week and some friendly matches before the competition. They were also under the beginners category which applies to participants from countries that do not have winter," she said.

She added that the Korean coaches were also good trainers and were fond of the Bruneians because they picked up the sport quickly.

"Thankfully none of them were injured because that actually happened to the some of the participants from the other countries," she said, adding that some even gave up due to difficulties in the competition which included zig-zagging down the slopes.

The 12-day programme was held at the Alpensia resort in Gangnueng, Gangwon Province, which will also play host to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Its main objective is to fulfill the international sports promise of bringing young people from countries where winter sports is not available and providing them with systematic training.

In addition, the programme also hopes to promote cultural exchanges and friendship among the youth from around the globe.

Courtesy from Brunei Times