Brunei U-19s Do Nation Proud In Pakistan
By Brunei Rugby Football Union

The Brunei Under-19 rugby team at the Bashahi Mosque

Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei rugby is on the map and this is due in no small part to the efforts of our Under- 19 squad at the recently completed tournament in Lahore, Pakistan.

What our young players achieved was outstanding both in terms of results and in the manner the results were secured.

With our successful participation in this Asian Rugby Football Union Under-19 tournament we have signalled that Brunei is ready to take its place in the rugby world.

Pg Mohd Yusre Pg Hj Daud of Aspec Aero Holdings was appointed to coordinate our sponsorship committee and the work he and his staff did were fundamental in allowing us to achieve our funding targets.

The Under 19's are deeply grateful to Pg Yusre and his team and all the sponsors that supported us for without them the growth and development of rugby, but more importantly the growth and maturing of 24 fine young men would not have been possible.

Major sponsors included VT Group (a UK Company), the Pakistani Business Community of Brunei, Singapore Technologies, BSM, HSBC, Parishioners of the Catholic Church, Goh Hock Kee, F&N Coca Cola, Kamil Hasan & Sons, Ted Sdn Bhd, Wisma Management Konsult Sdn Bhd and numerous other smaller contributors.

Once in Pakistan most of our expenses were met by our hosts who had themselves secured numerous private sponsors as well as considerable financial backing from the Punjab Government and Punjab Sports Department.

We departed on Thai Airlines on December 8, travelling to Lahore via Bangkok. We arrived in Pakistan in the late evening where rugby officials quickly made us feel at home.

Our liaison officer, Rana Tariq Mahmood joined us, and with numerous security personnel to protect us, we transferred to the Amer Hotel, which is near the Government Sector of Lahore City.

We were also contacted by Brunei High Commission staff from Islamabad who made it clear that they would be available should there be any concerns.

Our daily routines of training, rest, sightseeing and shopping were quickly established. Every day we either played or trained at the Fortress Stadium which had sufficient space for two full-sized fields and two training pitches.

Excursions were arranged to the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Lahore Museum, Lahore Zoo, as well as numerous shopping streets and markets and walks to local parks.

The Governor of the Punjab meanwhile graciously hosted an afternoon tea gathering for all teams and officials. The function was held in the gardens of the Governor's residence with background music from a brass band and with the relaxing atmosphere enhanced by fountains, beautiful groundsand the Colonial style stately mansion.

Our first match was against Pakistan. This was the first International Match played by a Brunei Under-19 team and to the credit of the team we prevailed 14 to 5. Preparations for our second match against India were however hindered by health and fitness concerns but in the end we played well below our ability and were soundly thrashed 73 to 8. Our final match was against Pakistan - this time they would not underestimate us. Pakistan had one of the biggest forward packs at the tournament while Brunei had the smallest one.

We knew we had embarrassed them with our first win and they would want revenge.

Despite playing against a bigger team and in front of a crowd of several thousand, Brunei was able to withstand a constant barrage of assaults until in the end Pakistan had no energy left - we had prevailed again, although we had to come from behind twice to do so by the margin of 19 to 15.

Words alone cannot express the feelings of delight and pride we had for each other as members of a victorious Brunei squad. Brunei yakin! !!

The team's `call to arms' was `Jangan Berundur Sebelum Kalah' (Don't withdraw before it's over). The team made the call with pride, conviction and passion, making the hairs stand up on the back of our necks!

Throughout our preparations the management/ coaching team had demanded high standards of performance from the squad members.

While players, parents and others may not have been aware of the magnitude of the tasks that awaited us in Pakistan, the management team was mindful of the need to develop rugby skills, fitness and a strong team spirit. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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