Bandar Seri Begawan - The Brunei Casing team won second place in the 'Pangkah Casing' Championship Invitational in Pahang, Malaysia. The competition was held in conjunction with His Majesty Sultan Pahang's birthday celebrations.

Upon their return to the Sultanate, the head of Brunei's contingent to the competition, Haji Tahmit bin Haji Nudin, explained that 16 teams from Malaysia and Singapore took part in the competition.

The competition was tough, however, Brunei's team endured and prevailed. It was only sheer luck that they were not able to take the gold home. However, he said that he has to give credit to the only team that was able to beat Brunei's team where like the Brunei team they had showed heart and passion in playing the game.

The gasing or traditional tops are made out of solid wood and it was once popular in the predominately Malay nations in the region. However with the coming of the modern age, the game of gasing has been left behind along with other traditional games.

Hj Tahmit said that the team not only did their country proud but they are also considered custodians of the sport along with other enthusiasts who struggle to keep the game alive by organising competitions throughout the region in the hope to preserve and reignite enthusiasts to the sport and art of gasing.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin