5th March 2010
The president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC) His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah at the meeting yesterday. (Above) Members of the BNOC and national sports associations attended a meeting with the BNOC president His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.THE president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC) His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah yesterday called on the Department of Youth and Sports to intensify its efforts in assisting national sports associations.
His Royal Highness chaired a meeting between BNOC, officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and representatives of national sports associations at the Conference Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas to discuss several issues with cooperation the central theme.
"Among this meeting's objectives are for us to discuss the preparations that will be made for the country to participate in regional and international tournaments to be held this year and the next.
"I hope that we can use this open forum to offer our opinions and constructive thoughts to ensure the development of sports in this country.
"This meeting is also for us to remember our responsibilities; be it members of BNOC or registered sports associations.
"To those sports associations who are not brave enough to voice their opinions, write BNOC a letter and I will look into it," he assured.
The meeting also gave the associations a platform to air their grievances and concerns, with representatives of the national athletics, badminton, fencing and golf associations among those who spoke up.
The five-month period from August to December will see four major multisports events contested — the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, and the Asian Beach Games in Muscat and His Royal Highness said the country should start planning from now.
On the ministry's national selection and evaluation committee that decides which sports and athletes can represent the country at international tournaments, the BNOC president called upon the ministry to heed the various recommendations from the associations.
"Some people in the ministry do not want to accept the coaches' opinions," he said.
"If that is the case then why should coaches be kept? I want to see changes which have positives results, that is what is important.
"Examine what should be done to help the associations and don't be biased.
"That is all I am asking," he said
The president hoped that such meetings would be held from time to time to nurture a more open, harmonious and united environment between the stakeholders as well as provide a clear goal.
"I hope this will kickstart the birth of a strong and unified partnership which is well-managed and respected as well as has direction ... in our goal to create a vision that is outlined in the National Sports Policy book; especially for 'High Prestige Sports'," he said.
His Royal Highness also highlighted the two reasons why the policy was drafted saying that "the development of sports is the joint responsibility between the government and non-governmental agencies such as youth and sports associations" and "the desire to see sports in the Sultanate developed through the country's participation at the international arena".
"The question is are we really doing our jobs? Think about it ...," he said.
"The BNOC wants to see sports associations improve their performances in 2010. The athletes should show the country that they want to be better in 2010.
"To the athletes; ignore what people say. Train hard, work hard and you will succeed.
"That is my personal view as a former athlete who has represented Brunei at the SEA Games, not as BNOC president," he added.
