Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports through the Department of Youth and Sports held a closing ceremony on an extra activity in line with the 'Belia Cinta Tanah Air' bicycle expedition programme yesterday at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

The guest of honour was Awg Hj Md Rozan bin Dato Paduka Hj Md Yunos, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The event started with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah and a Doa Selamat led by Awg Hj Abd Wahab bin Hj Tamin, followed by a welcoming speech by Awg Hj Abd Malik bin Hj Mohammad, Acting Director of the Department of Youth and Sports, also the Chairman of the 'Belia Cinta Tanah Air' programme.

"The 'Belia Cinta Tanah Air' programme has been organised for the 8th consecutive year since 2006. It is aimed at increasing the spirit of nationalism and patriotism. For every district the participants went to, community service work was also conducted," said Hj Abd Malik.

The ceremony continued with certificate presentations to the youths who participated in the bicycle expedition, handed over by the guest of honour.

The bicycle expedition which was held for six days was one of the extra activities for the participants of the 'Belia Cinta Tanah Air' programme in the first phase, which emphasised on 'Iltizam Belia dengan Orang Ramai' (Youth Commitment to the Public), participated by 29 youths, where they cycled from district to district while waving the Brunei Darussalam National Flag.

The programme also aimed to increase the values of community, religion, nationhood and association and to develop physical fitness, spiritual stability as well as for the youths to become more resilient and broad and open-minded.