45 teams to compete in Regata Brunei 2014

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Feb 27, 2014: Forty five teams both local and international will be participating in this year’s Regata Brunei Darussalam 2014 this Sunday. A briefing on the annual event to remind the participants on the do’s and don’ts was held at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium in Berakas, yesterday.

Chairman of Brunei Darussalam National Boat Racers Hj Haris Hj Ibrahim reminded the participants to try their best not to collide with other teams during the competition day.

“We have seen many accidents where boats capsized in previous competitions and we hope this year every team can ensure that their boats will not obstruct others and to compete in good camaraderie spirit,” he said.

Meanwhile, Executive Chairman for the event who is also the Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Majid Mangarshah said 45 teams have submitted their entries so far.

“For this year, we received participation from Malaysia and Nanjing, China.

“Unfortunately Singapore wasn’t able to send their teams for this year’s event,” he said.

This will be the first time a team from Nanjing, China which is also the sister city for Bandar Seri Begawan to participate in the regatta.

Well known international teams such as Putra Lawas and Pewaris Lawas will once again compete with the local teams such as the Brunei Darussalam A and Brunei Darussalam B in this year’s event.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Brunei Darussalam is scheduled to grace the event this Sunday.

For this year, the event will start with the 30 horse-power power boat race followed by fibre-glass 15 rowers category and water taxi race, under 50-hp power boat, four-stroke jet ski and traditional boat race 25 rowers.

There will also be rows of stalls selling variety of foods and drinks and wares on that day from 6am until 9pm.

The street hawkers will be at parts of Jalan Pretty and Jalan Pemancha.

Parents who bring their children to watch the boat race can later head to Hi Sir Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien field where there will be other activities including ‘bouncer’ for their children.

The regatta is jointly organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

The regatta aims to restore the glory of boat racing in Bandar Seri Begawan and hoped to promote tourism by making the capital more attractive to tourists.

 

 

source: The Brunei Times