TUTONG

THE Brunei-Muara team took championship title at Tutong's first regatta yesterday.

The winning team, led by Acting Brunei-Muara District Officer, claimed the championship of the 500m boat race category – opened to 20 paddlers from Mukims and Village Consultative Councils (MPMs and MPKs) – after overtaking the Tutong team led by Tutong District Officer Wardi Hj Mohd Ali during the final seconds of the race.

Cheers were heard from the spectators as racers from various MPMs and MPKs of Brunei-Muara, Tutong, Belait and Temburong rowed their boats enthusiastically towards the finish line.

Mohd Ihsan Sabri Hj Abd Manap, the manager for the Brunei-Muara team, said that one of the factors leading the team to victory was the teamwork among the paddlers.

“The competition was quite tight especially with the Tutong team consisting of professional rowers, but Alhamdulillah, with extra effort and energy, we were able to catch up and win the race,” he added.

The team manager also said that among the main objectives of the race was to promote such water sports especially to the youths.

Tutong District Officer Wardi said that besides encouraging the youths and developing the sport, the boat races was also a means of serving as a venue to show the unity between the MPMs and MPKs in each of the four districts.

“During the competition, I can see how well the teams worked together to win the race and it is not just a matter of a good team, but the spirit of togetherness displayed was what led the teams to victory during their races,” he said.

Presenting the prizes to the leaders of the teams was the Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman.

Winners of the other race categories were also given prizes at the end of the event.

Also present was Legislative Council member, Yang Berhormat Hj Ramli Hj Lahit, Penghulu of Mukim Telisai.

Meanwhile, Minister of Industry and Primary, Resources Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar was present during the morning session of the regatta to take part in the 500m race opened to 20 paddlers nationwide.

A total of 29 teams, 21 speedboat and 13 jetski racers participated in the regatta, which was organised for the first time in Tutong after over a decade.

Besides the race, the regatta was enlivened by a parade consisting over 300 members of organisations and ethnic groups in Tutong.

The regatta was held to mark His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 68th birthday celebration.

The Brunei Times