BY James Kon

The lack of preparation in travel arrangement for national athletes, where a Wushu athlete, Hosea Wong, holding an International Certificate of Identity (ICI) passport was not allowed to enter Vietnam upon arrival was raised by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) on Wednesday during the 31st Southeast Asia (SEA) Games Post Mortem meeting with the Brunei contingent.

Hosea Wong was held for more than one hour by Vietnam authorities at the airport before allowed entry into the country thanks to the assistance rendered by Vice President of BDNOC Haji Muhd Zamri bin Dato Paduka Haji Hamdani who was in Vietnam to attend the SEAGF Council Meeting.

His Royal Highness during his sabda said that, “the Secretariat of Brunei’s contingent to the Vietnam SEA Games should have found out about the regulations and relevant documents needed for athletes travelling to Vietnam. Such situation will have an impact on our athlete’s concentration and morale to compete. It is important to take care of our athlete’s well-being for them to be in their best mindset.”

For the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam managed to obtain one gold, one silver and one bronze medals. Mohammad Adi Salihin bin Roslan won gold medal in the men’s nanquan, Ali Saifullah Abdullah bin Haji Md Suhaimi took bronze in men’s tunggal pencak silat event, and the female regu team comprising Anisah Najihah binti Abdullah, Norleyermah binti Haji Raya and Nur Wasiqah Aziemah binti Rosihan brought home silver.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad said, “Alhamdulillah, Wushu and Pencek Silat athletes have brought glory to the country by winning medals in the 31st Sea Games.

“I would like to congratulate the coaches as well as the national sport associations who have prepared athletes and their teams based on a realistic and achievable target.”

For those who have not yet obtain a medal or achieve targets at these sporting events, he said, “Training and sacrifice do not end here. What is important is for athletes to continue to be dedicated to the sports and carry out enhanced intensive training.”

Chef de Mission of Brunei contingent for 31st SEA Games Haji Mohamad Rosfazilah bin Haji Yusly delivered his report, where he recommended reducing the gap of weaknesses, and urged athletes to improve their skills by learning from high performance programme, coaching and sport science.

He also highlighted the importance of support and cooperation from stakeholders and national sports associations.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary (Administration, Finance and Estate) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud who chaired the meeting said, “the MCYS will always work together with the BDNOC as well as National Sports Associations to continuously prepare athletes especially through high performance programmes.

“In addition, collaboration with various stakeholders and partnerships with relevant agencies will help to realise the nation’s aspiration to not only produce national athletes, but athletes of high quality who can compete and bring back medals in prestigious tournaments like the SEA Games.”

During the post mortem, representatives of each sports namely wushu, pencak silat, karate-do and E-sport that have competed in the 31st Sea Games delivered their remarks on their athletes’ performances as well as future plans.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin