Bandar Seri Begawan - The Executive Committee for the assessment and selection of national athletes and contingent representing the country is responsible in deciding the sports to be competed and backing the qualified athletes to represent Brunei Darussalam based on the criteria which have been stated.

The selection is to make sure that tournaments to be competed and qualified athletes are truly capable and have the potential to win medals based on the benchmark stated.

The role of the Executive Committee for the assessment and selection of national athletes and contingent was reiterated by Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in an executive committee meeting for assessment and selection of national athletes yesterday.

Present to attend the meeting was His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the President of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council.

The meeting was chaired by Dato Paduka Awang Hj Hamid bin Hj Mohd Jaafar, the Permanent Secretary of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The meeting was to assess the nominated athletes forwarded by the various national sports associations for the participation in the 3rd Islamic Solidary Games, Pekanbatu-Riau (June 6-17), 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2013 in Incheon, Korea (June 29-July 6) and 2nd Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China (Aug 16-24).

On the strict selection and assessment, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports highlighted: "This also encourage the sport associations and athletes that are keen to represent the country in any sports, must have big commitment. "

Commitment, she said "is the sacrifice made in the form of time and energy to attend even, training systematically."

Dato Paduka Awang Hj Hamid in his remarks said: "The selection and assessment of athletes to represent Brunei are based on the set criteria. However, sometimes it also needs the judgment or in-depth assessment from the experience and exposure of His Royal Highness."

He also revealed that a total of 268 athletes comprising of male and female athletes have been nominated by various national sport associations to take part in the three tournaments - 3rd Islamic Solidary Games, 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and 2nd Asian Youth Games.

The meeting, he said "will identify the qualified athletes to compete at these prestigious tournaments. The participation of the country is not only for elite athletes but also for youth athletes for the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing. Nominated athletes must pass the fitness test and follow the training intensively under their respective coaches."

The Government of His Majesty through Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports will continuously improve any weaknesses and take follow-up action to make sure support in sports will be provided including application of sport science, coaching, use of sport medicine research centre, sport facilities and equipment, however, keeping in mind the financial limitation or constraints," he added.

Also in attendance were Hj Ismail bin Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Dato Paduka Hj Hashim, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Culture, Youth and Sports and Hj Malik Hj Mohammad, Acting Director of Youth and Sports who is also the secretary of the executive committee.