Bandar Seri Begawan - His Royal Highness Prince Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, joined some 1,500 people in an Olympic Day run at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in a bid to encourage more people, including those with special needs, to take part in sports.

Accompanying His Royal Highness was YAM Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah, YAM Pengiran Anak 'Aliiyah Amalul Bulqiah, YAM Pengiran Anak Aizzatul Bulqiah and YAM Pengiran Muda Abdul 'Aleern Bulqiah.

In the "Men's Open" category, Safi Anak Ahar emerged as the champion, followed by Zulkifli bin Liman (second) and Rudin bin Takong (third).

In the "Boys under 15" category, Andre Fadly bin Simon came in first place followed by Mohd Fairie Shah bin Roslan (second) and Norazwan bin Jamdan (third).

In the "Women's Open" category, Tan Slew King emerged as the champion, followed by Linda Rawshaw (second) and Asmahan binti Matamin (third).

In the "Men over 50" category, P Ramlee came in first place followed by Hj Midon (second) and Hj Md Ali bin Hj Bini (third).

In the "Girls under 15" category, Safiaforhanina binti Yahya ermeged as the champion, followed by Nurulmahirah binti Miramit (second) and Amalina @ Lian binti Gafar (third).

In the "Special Needs - Intellectual Disabilities 16 and above" category, Razali bin Subi was ranked first followed by Alimi bin Hj Mahli (second) and Abu Bahar bin Hj Sabtu (third).

In the "Wheelchair Open" category, Nurul lzzati Md Asri emerged as the champion, while Harun bin Hj Tahir and Hirdan Hj Abd Kadir came in second and third place respectively.

In the "Hearing disabilities 16 and above" category, Hj Zulkhairi bin Tahir was ranked first, followed by Zulhafendy bin Md Sufri (second) and Shahrin bin Karim (third). Meanwhile, Md Khairulnuddin bin Hj Kula took home first prize in the "Hearing disabilities 16 and below" category.

In the "Special needs (blind) 16 and above" category, Jarinah Rungging emerged as the champion, followed by Faridah Hj Mohamad (second) and Md Jamaru Danggal (third).

In the "Special needs (intellectual) 15 and under" category, Amiruddin bin Hj Md Zain was ranked first, followed by Nazri bin Ramli (second) and Amizah bin Suhaimi (third).

Top government officials also took part in yesterday's run including the Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj

Ahmad bin Hj Jumat, the Acting Minister of Finance, Pehin Orang Kaya Lana Setia Hato Seri SetiaAwg Hj Abdul Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim, the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi bin Hj Osman, and the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Mohd Zain bin Hj Serudin.

The Vice President IV of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, Haji Rosli Mohiddin, said that he was very pleased with the huge turnout for this year's Olympic Day run. He said that all the free Olympic Day run t-shirts were snapped up within 30 minutes during registration.

The winners of the Olympic Day run event received their prizes from His Royal Highness. While YAM Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah presented prizes to the winners of a recent drawing and colouring competition (see side box, right) that was held in conjunction with the Olympic Day Run.

Earlier, His Royal Highness viewed an exhibition featuring entries of the drawing and colouring competition.

His Royal Highness also launched the official website of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, www.bruneiolympic.org, where the public can get more information on the council and affiliated sporting associations.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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