​The Royal Wharf in the capital once again became the focal point for the public to watch the Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2018. The Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2018 revived the glory of boat racing that attracted the attention of both locals and tourists, and the event was further enlivened with the presence of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam took part in the afternoon session's special race, and then presented the prizes to the winners.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, Minister of Communications who is also the Acting Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism; and Yang Berhormat Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports as Co-Advisor of the Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2018 Executive Committee.

Also in attendance were His Majesty's sons and brother;

- His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office;

- His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik;

- His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel; and

- His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah

Another 6 events were competed in the afternoon session, starting with the 15 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Special Race. The race began in front of of the Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Centre. His Majesty took part in the race and His Majesty led His Majesty's team which used the boat named Raja Wali.

8 teams took part in this special race. The Brunei Darussalam Regatta was one of the sports events organised in conjunction with the 72nd birthday celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

The involvement of His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family in such an event further enlivened the atmosphere in the capital, which brings back nostalgia when His Majesty's late father made the regatta as one of the favourite sports.

The special race was won by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah's team which used the boat named Kitang. Meanwhile, His Majesty's team took second place, while the team led by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince which used the boat named Punai placed third.

His Majesty then watched the other categories competed. 5 teams took part in the Under-30 Youth 20 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Race. The Olahraga Dayung Seluruh Indonesia Kalimantan Barat won the first place, while a team from Nanjing, People's Republic of China and Tamoi Bersatu team took second and third place respectively.

Among the special guest watching the Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2018 was Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Asfia bin Awang Nasar, Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, as representative of the Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak.

Meanwhile, another 5 teams competed in the Inter-Higher Education Institution 15 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Race. In this race, Universiti Teknologi Brunei took first place, followed by the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College and Politeknik Brunei.

Whereas in the Inter-School and Colleges 15 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Race, 7 teams took part in the event. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College won first place, while Awang Semaun took second place, and Sports School took third place.

5 teams partook in the Youth Open 20 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Race. Tamoi Bersatu took first place, followed by Setia Protective Security Services and a team from Nanjing, People's Republic of China.

The highlight of the regatta was the Marathon 30 Paddlers Traditional Boat Race. His Majesty flagged-off the race which began at Pulau Si Bongor.

13 competed in the 5-kilometre race that ended at the Royal Wharf. Among the participating teams include those from Lawas, Sarawak, the Federal Territory of Labuan, Republic of Indonesia and the People's Republic of China. In this event, cooperation and understanding between each team members were vital, apart from having strong mental and physical strength.

The Marathon 30 Paddlers Traditional Boat Race was won by Olahraga Dayung Seluruh Indonesia Kalimantan Barat team, while Majlis Sukan Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei and Leila Ceteria team took second and third place respectively.

His Majesty then took a closer look at the Regatta Exhibition 2018: Sungai Brunei - Pengubung Budaya Warisan Brunei at the Royal Wharf Art Gallery. The exhibition, organised by the Museums Department with the cooperation of several agencies, showcased the participation and involvement of His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family at the Brunei Darussalam Regatta in 2016 and 2017 through photographs, video clips and newspaper cuttings. The Museums Department hoped that the exhibition, which is open for 3 months, will instill the spirit of sportsmanship among the youth and the public, and encourage healthy lifestyle within the society.

Also being displayed at the exhibition are 22 drawings produced by students from Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Secondary School, Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College, Sayidina Othman Secondary School, the Kolej International Graduate Studies, IGS; as well as special needs students from the Special Education Unit, Ministry of Education.

At the gallery, artists from the Museums Department taught a group of Year 4 pupils from Chung Hwa School on how to create souvenirs. This year's exhibition also showcase a number of museum collections that are related to the activities carried out in Sungai Brunei. This includes fishing tools, handicrafts as well as models of boats that are used in Brunei Darussalam.

His Majesty then presented prizes to the winners. The team led by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah that won the 15 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Special Race received cash prize worth 3 thousand dollars, a trophy and medals. Meanwhile, His Majesty's team took second place, whereas the team led by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince placed third.

The Olahraga Dayung Seluruh Indonesia Kalimantan Barat team that won the Under-30 Youth 20 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Race brought home 800-dollars-cash prize, a trophy and medals.

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Brunei team that took first place for the Inter-Higher Education Institution 15 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Race, received 500 dollars, a trophy and medals.

Cash prize worth 500 dollars, a trophy and medals were also presented to the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College for winning the Inter-School and Colleges 15 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Race.

Tamoi Bersatu team, winner of the Youth Open 20 Paddlers Fibre Glass Boat Race, brought home 550-dollars-cash prize, a trophy and medals.

For the winner of the Marathon 30 Paddlers Traditional Boat Race, Olahraga Dayung Seluruh Indonesia Kalimantan Barat team received the Challenge Trophy donated by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, as well as cash prize worth 6 thousand dollars.

The Brunei Darussalam Regatta is a traditional sport that remains until today despite the change of time. This sport has the potential to become an interesting and prestigious sports as it is not capable of attracting the attention of participants from within the country, but also those from overseas. The Brunei Darussalam Regatta is also an important cultural display for the tourist in introducing the country's tradition, and at the same time, introduce Brunei Darussalam to the rest of the world.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by Brudirect.com

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