Bandar Seri Begawan - Participants to the 7th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in General Santos, Philippines are urged to show their high sporting and competing spirits in the games. Athletes are also encouraged to always be confident and show the winning spirit.

These are words of encouragement by the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Awg Haji Ismail bin Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Dato Paduka Haji Hashim, while sending off the national contingent for the games at the Brunei International Airport yesterday.

He reminded participants as a small ambassador of the country to always keep and uphold the good name and image of the country and show good discipline and sportsmanship throughout the games. He urged athletes to perform at the highest standard of fair play and most importantly winning every game.

This year Brunei Darussalam are sending a 40- strong contingent led by chef-de-mission, Awang Haji Abdul Malik bin Haji Mohammad. The contingent of 25 athletes, 8 coaches and 6 officials will be participating in athletics, tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, pencak silat and table tennis.

Awg Haji Abdul Malik, Acting Director of Youth and Sports in his message said the event will showcase young athletes of Under 21 years and will be a good platform to put to test the best ability to earn medals at a regional level and achieve excellence in sports up to the international level in the future.

The friendship games is the outcome of the BIMPEAGA cooperation which aims, among others to enhance unity and cooperation among youths of participating countries through friendly sport cooperation. The events also promote a greater understanding and cooperation towards the development of sports.

Brunei Darussalam will be the next Chairman of the BIMP-EAGA Sports Council in January 2013.

At the 6th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games hosted by Brunei Darussalam - the country collected 43 medals - 12 gold, 15 silver and 16 bronze medals.