Athletes and officials left Brunei Darussalam to participate in the 32nd Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Photo shows Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin speaking to the contingent at the Brunei International Airport yesterday. PHOTO: AK ZAKI KASHARAN
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin in a group photo with the Brunei contingent. PHOTOS: AK ZAKI KASHARAN, JAMES KON
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Kakuta Hiromi and Brunei Contingent Chef De Mission Umi Kalthum binti Haji Abdul Karim with Tokyo Olympics mascots
Five of the seven-member Brunei Darussalam Contingent for the 32nd Olympic Games left the country for Tokyo yesterday.
The contingent comprised Chef De Mission Umi Kalthum binti Haji Abdul Karim, national swimmer Muhammad Isa bin Haji Ahmad, his coach, a secretariat officer and a communication officer.
Umi Kalthum said the contingent will follow strict standard operating procedures. She said, “In Japan, we are required to undergo the daily saliva test for COVID-19 and swab tests once every four days. We were swabbed twice before the flight to Tokyo (96 and 72 hours before departure) while all members of the contingent are vaccinated.
“In the games village’s dining hall, each person eats in their own cubicle and the capacity limit is 30 per cent.”
Asked about the news of the first athlete testing positive for coronavirus in the Olympic Village, she said there are concerns and hopes the Bruneian people will pray for the contingent’s safety and well-being during the games.
As for the athletes’ targets she said they aim to break personal and national records during the meet.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin was present at the Brunei International Airport to see off the Brunei contingent.
Attorney General and Brunei Amateur Swimming Association Vice President Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa; Permanent Secretary (Administration, Finance and Estate) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud; Deputy Chief of Mission at the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Kakuta Hiromi and family members were also present.
Brunei is set to participate in two sporting events in the Tokyo Olympics – athletics and swimming. Track athlete Mohd Firdaus Ar-Rasyid bin Haji Mohd Idris will compete in the Men’s 200-metre and Muhammad Isa in the men’s 100-metre in breaststroke.
Mohd Firdaus Ar-Rasyid will leave for Tokyo later as his event falls on August 3.
