Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Princess Azemah Launches 2nd Asia Special Olympics Pacific Bocce Competition
By Jon Tampoi

Bandar Seri Begawan - The opening ceremony for the 2nd Asia Special Olympics Pacific Bocce Competition 2008 was held yesterday afternoon at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium Track and Field Complex in Berakas.

The event's royal guest of honour was Her Royal Highness Princess `Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah, the Patron of Brunei's National Special Olympics.

Also in attendance were Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Pehin Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman, Minister of Health; Datin Paduka Apsah Hj Abd Majid and Pg Datin Hjh Noraini PDNLDR Pg Hj Abd Momin, Co-Chairpersons of the Special Olympics; ambassadors and high commissioners of participating nations, invited guests, as well as the organising committee and family members.

In her welcoming speech, Datin Paduka Apsah highlighted that some of the special needs

athletes "have accomplished remarkably in the international arena".

They made the nation proud with their excellent performances in the Asean Para and Special Olympics World Games, she said. These have been made possible through the continuous support of Her Royal Highness's patronage towards developments of Brunei's people with special needs.

She also mentioned that Brunei is among the nations that signed the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the lead agency in collaboration with other relevant government agencies and non-government organisations.

The hosting of this year's Asia Pacific Special Olympics Bocce Competition reflects the organisers' commitment and their recognition of the special needs individuals' rights as an integral part of the community that should be included in daily activities such as sports and recreation among others.

She added that the Department of Community Development under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Special Education Unit, Ministry of Education, would continue their untiring efforts in promoting the game.

She also thanked the main sponsors Baiduri Bank Group, DST Communication Sdn Bhd and Primate] Communications for their contributions.

The guest of honour then launched the event, which was honoured with a parade by the participants, preceded by the Prison Department band and Special Olympics flag-bearer.

The march past was also participated by winners of the Special Olympics World Summer Games Shanghai 2007, Girls Guide, technical officers, health screening team, family network programme, young athletes and other volunteers.

As Brunei plays host, this year's contest is being participated by six other countries - Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, the People's Republic of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. -

Special Olympics athlete Muhd Syahrul Izzam Asmat read the oath before a demonstration of the Young Athletes Programmes for children under the ages of eight was presented. Her Royal Highness was introduced to the participating teams.

The Co-Chairpersons then presented the guest of honour with a pesembah at the end of the opening ceremony. The programme was jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam.

The games were conducted at the same venue and participated by all the teams. Volunteers and members of the public also witnessed the event. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin