The medal tally for now for 8th June

Brunei’s SEA Games update: I’ve been missing a lot of the sporting events in Singapore lately and I can’t wait to go and watch other remaining sports. The one that I will covering is the Jumping Individual of the Equestrian competition where our national hero Pg Nasir reached the finals after qualifying in the heats yesterday. Well done, buddy 😀

So how did the rest fare? Currently there are three medals lesser than the previous Games in Myanmar 2013. Back then, they had one gold, one silver and six bronze medals. I believe not all competition have completed yet. There are chances still for equestrian and pencat silat categories for Brunei to win medals.

The Wushu Team was unable to achieve their target of gold as the team of Faustina Woo Wai Sii and Lee Ying Shi settled for bronze. The same also went for the Men’s Duel, the first medal achievement for the men’s category won by the brothers – Mohd Adi Sya’rani Roslan and Mohd Sufi Shayiran Roslan.

Another worth mentioning is The Royal Bees, Brunei’s netball team, who reached their target for a podium finish after beating Myanmar and the Philippines for a top four finish. Well done to the team, the head coach and the management team behind Royal Bees. I’ve seen the hard work they have invested in terms of training and even flying overseas to compete against other countries.

Sepak Takraw also saw Brunei bagged two more bronze medal finishes. Good luck to the remaining contestants from Brunei. Though the numbers of Brunei contestants have been lowered, Brunei still showing some positive results. A gold medal would be a huge bonus for the country. Let’s hope Brunei to finish on a high note.

The Men’s Duel and Women’s Duel for Wushu achieved bronze medal status. Image courtesy of Lee Ying Shi.

The Sepak Tekraw team winning two bronze medals. Image courtesy of The Brunei Times.

The Royal Bees achieving a podium finish as well as bronze medal

A proud moment for two best friends – Tia Jaafar and Hafizah. Image courtesy of @redtwone

Mohd Abdillah failed to qualify for the semi finals in petanque. Image courtesy of The Brunei Times.

The men’s fencing lost out in the quarter-finals against Singapore in the Men’s Team Sabre last weekend

Brunei u-23 team lost all their matches in the football tournament. Faiq Jefri Bolkiah scored one of the overall two goals. Image courtesy of SEA Games Facebook Page.

Taufiq Murni lost his chance for a top 8 finish in the 9-ball pool category. Image courtesy of Borneo Bulletin.

One of the Wushu contestant. Image courtesy of SEA Games Facebook Page.

Brunei sailing team didn’t manage to impress as debutant Lim Jenn Kiat finished last in the youth laser radial (sailing). It will be a good exposure for him for future competition. Image courtesy of of SEA Games Facebook Page.

Another potential medal achiever for Pg Nasir. He breezed in the qualifiers yesterday and looking forward for the finals tomorrow (Wednesday). He said in a short interview that he’s very proud to represent Brunei where it’s an international show in Europe or in the SEA Games. He feels very blessed despite the challenges of not riding his own personal horse but still managed to bring the best of his performance. Good luck, bro, and see you soon.

The Brunei contingent during the opening ceremony. Image courtesy of of SEA Games Facebook Page.

One of the performances during the opening ceremony of the SEA Games 2015 in Singapore. Image courtesy of of SEA Games Facebook Page.

What an opening!! Image courtesy of of SEA Games Facebook Page.

 

In the paper’s yesterday

In the paper’s yesterday

I knew this is gonna draw a lot of mixed reactions. Actually it was even mixed at all. The comments were 95% negative when I posted this message on my social network. This was to do with the recent directives from the Municipal Board where businesses were to shut down by midnight. Many wanted answers and legitimate reasons to why on such ruling. The Ministry of Home Affairs didn’t hold any press conference but issued statement to the media and in the end of the day, there was a slight u-turn in the statement and now apparently some restaurants can still operate after midnight.

In today’s The Brunei Times, it was mentioned that restaurants are still confused about the guideline. This reminds me of last year’s confusion on the attire and clothing before the implementation of the Syariah Law. Now it’s about small businesses that are operating after midnight. Some have mentioned that they haven’t received any letter from the Municipal Board on the confirmation for the request of extended hours. Let’s hope this issue can be resolved for the benefit of the community and let’s not forget that Ramadhan is just around the corner and these businesses need to prep themselves.

At least, this is some leeway for restaurants and the public that there’s a high possibility for restaurants and convenient stores to operate past midnight.

Posted on @thebruneitimes social media before the actual full details

 

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah in the training session with the Brunei U-23 team. Image courtesy of Yee Chun Leong of The Brunei Times.

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah with the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam and the Brunei U-23 team before flying off to Singapore

A talent in the making. He had trials in Arsenal in the youth academy two years ago before signing a youth club deal with Chelsea early last year. Today he is representing Brunei in the upcoming SEA Games but I have yet to see on the field or in any football matches just yet. He plays upfront and his inclusion to the under-23 football team is a huge boost for the country. He naturally plays wide in attack.

He is no other than Faiq Jefri Bolkiah and he seems upbeat for the competition. According to his interview with The Brunei Times, he will focus on his physical presence and speed and he aimed to work hard both defensively and offensively. He is pleased to play along the ranks of the DPMM FC players such as Azwan Ali Rahman.

Brunei will take on Vietnam on 29th May in the Round Robin Group B, followed by Loas on 31st May. Their third match will be against Timor-Leste on 3rd June before they face Thailand on 6th June and on their final match will be against Malaysia on 8th June. Good luck to the Brunei u-23 team in the SEA Games.

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah was the Brunei Chelsea Supporters Club (BCSC) at Papa Chelsea Shed last weekend. Image courtesy of BCSC.

Group photo of the BCSC in celebration of Chelsea’s crowning of the Premier League. Image courtesy of BCSC.

Chelsea supporters taking photo with Faiq Jefri Bolkiah. Click image to enter BCSC Facebook Page. Image courtesy of BCSC.

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah signing the youth deal with Chelsea FC last year. Image courtesy of @RYO_cleverfish

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah in action for the U-18 Chelsea FC. Image courtesy of @fjbolkiah