Bandar Seri Begawan - A committee from the Youth and Sports Department yesterday announced that the 7th National Youth Day will be celebrated nationwide on October 6, and that the event will carry the theme "Belia Syumul Harapan Negara" or "An Accomplished Youth is the Hope of the Nation".

The press conference yesterday was facilitated by the Director of Youth and Sports Development, Hjh Norlah Hj Yaakob; Acting Director of Youth and Sports, Hj Abdul Malik Hj Mohammad; and Acting Deputy Director of Youth and Sports Hj Rosmadee Hj Mohd Daud.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is expected to grace the event and deliver a titah, as well as inaugurate the National Youth Awards presentation. The event, which is set to commence at 9am, will be held at the Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex, Berakas. An annual event organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the National Youth Day is usually held on October 1 every year.

This year will see the presentation of the "Pemimpin Belia Berjasa" (Meritorious Youth Leader), "Persatuan Belia" (Youth Association) and "Belia Cemerlang" (Excellent Youth) awards.

The awards are meant to give recognition and appreciation to the youth leaders and youths for their invaluable contributions to society and also as the sources of inspiration and role models for youths in the country.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is scheduled to visit the Creative Industries mini-exhibition after the main event has concluded. The mini-exhibition will take place on the same day and place.

The general public are invited to visit the mini-exhibition on October 6 and 7 at the concourse of the Indoor Stadium. The first day of the mini-exhibition is opened from 1.30pm to 5pm after the conclusion of the main event. Opening hours for the next day are from 9am to 5pm.

Amongst the main objectives of the mini-exhibition are to promote the entrepreneurship skills of the youths and to showcase their talents in developing the Creative Industries, to advocate the utilisation of Creative Industries as well as opportunities for further exploration, and to give assistance to entrepreneurs, young executives and artists in the promotion of their products and services in the Creative Industries.

The mini-exhibition will be participated by 13 entries from local entrepreneurs and institutions.

Other events of the National Youth Day celebrations include religious activities such as thanksgiving prayers, mass Maghrib prayer, recital of Surah Yaasiin and Tahlil, to be conducted at Masjid Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam in Jerudong on October 5.

The guest of honour will be Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The Friday sermon to be delivered with the cooperation of the Mosque Affairs Department will touch on the theme of the National Youth Day and will be presented by young Imams across the nation.

The National Youth Day Run 2012 will take place at 7am on Sunday, October 21 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

A mini forum for the Language and Literature Bureau Youth Club will also be held, organised by the Language and Literature Bureau, Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports.

The activities held to mark the National Youth Day are meant to create a buzz and interest amongst the youths in this country to make them more involved in youth activities that will help in nation-building.

The Creative Industries mini-exhibition and the National Youth Day Run are hoped to act as platforms for youths to be more active in creative industries in various fields as well as sporting activities for the health and well-being of youths. These aims are also in line with the religious theme of the national celebration: to excel in various fields without turning away from the important principles of Islam.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin