Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah in action. – DEAN KASSIM
HER Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah participated in a national netball team tryout for the Southeast Asian Games 2017 (SEA Games 2017) yesterday at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium Complex in Berakas.
Her Royal Highness was among the players listed after a fitness test was carried out last January together with 21 other players.
The number will be screened down to 18 players, which will be announced today.
According to head coach of the national netball team, Thilaka Jinadasa, the tryout was focused on the SEA Games participation which will be from 21 to 28 August this year.
“In the previous participation, we achieved bronze. The target this time will be to better our last achievement,” she said.
She said fitness was the main key and priority for wearers of the national jersey.
“Of the 22 players who came in today, 18 will be selected for a two-month training stint.
“A second selection will be held to narrow it down to 15 players, who will continue to three months of training for the last selection process, which will see 12 players selected to represent Brunei Darussalam in the SEA Games,” she said.
She said representatives from the Ministry of Defence were present to assess the players.
She also shared that this year’s selection encouraged the participation of taller and more active players.
“In the coming two months, they will be prepared physically and mentally,” she added.
She was happy with the reception towards training since it began last October as “all players showed their commitment which was very positive”.
She expressed confidence in the current crop, which will take part in team building exercises in Temburong.
“We are planning to take part in a friendly match in Kota Kinabalu.
“We are also currently in talks with a champion school team from Sri Lanka for a preparation match which will be held on April 1-10 this year,” she said.
