Bandar Seri Begawan - Though importing paintball guns and markers is illegal as these products fall under the category of firearms and are potentially dangerous, a paintball game park is currently being planned for Brunei by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in cooperation with Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS) for Jerudong.

RBTS involvement is required in order to import, maintain and keep stock of accessories and ammunitions, in light of the Monopoly Act of Dangerous Goods.

The only danger a game of paintball can lead to is when a participant is impacted on the face or head in the instance of not wearing a safety mask as part of safety guidelines.

During a dialogue session with media representatives yesterday, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah said the ministry in collaboration with RBTS will be building a game park for the activity, which the ministry considers an extreme sport.

The minister observed that many among the youth have gravitated towards a few different extreme sports. "If it can help build good character, the ministry is in support of that," he said.

Pehin Dato Hj Hazair noted that "in developing and educating our youth, it is also important to provide an element of fun into it".

He highlighted that this sort of thinking is what is currently driving the ministry's rebranding effort of the Youth Centre in the capital.

As part of the effort to bring youths back to the centre, the centre has been equipped with a 'jamming' studio, a mini-music studio, as well as cyber gaming and ICT facilities.

The rebranding initiative is meant to make the Youth Centre more dynamic and to encourage greater involvement from associations and youths involved in the arts and creative activities, entrepreneurial undertakings, and cultural and community work.

The ministry is emphasising the development of a creative mindset among local youths.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin