Sports associations play role in promoting healthy lifestyle, reminds minister
By James Kon

Pehin Dato Maj-Gen (rtd) Hj Mohammad, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, officially opens the Brunei Master Open Athletics Championship yesterday. This year's championship will see the participation of some 360n veteran athletes from Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Brunei.

Some 360 veteran athletes are vying for top honours at the Brunei Master Open Athletics Championship 2005, which kicked off yesterday, officially opened by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major-General (rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awg Hj Mohammad, in a ceremony at the Belapan Stadium in Berakas.

The minister, in his welcoming address, disclosed that there has been a steady rise in the participation of veteran athletes in the local sporting scene. This indicated the effectiveness of sports programmes in the country, he added.

According to the minister, a large part in the effectiveness of sports programmes comes from the proactive, positive and committed attitude of the national sports associations concerned.

Those associations play an important role, not only in promoting sports but also in improving the qualify of life in Brunei through a healthy lifestyle, Pehin Dato said.

Also present at the opening ceremony yesterday were the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hj Jemat bin Hj Ampal; the Youth and Sports Director, Awg Japar bin Bangkol; members of the Brunei Association of Veteran Athletes and senior government officials.

Organised by the Brunei Association of Veteran Athletes, with cooperation from the Youth and Sports Department, this year's Brunei Master Open Athletics Championship will see the participation of veteran athletes from Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Indonesia and host country Brunei.

Indonesia is sending the largest number of athletes to the meet, which also sees first-time participation by Singapore, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin