The article that caught me by surprise this morning

This is something that I don’t really understand. It’s a simple sport. A national sport – football. Yes, there can be politics in most organisations but sometimes it has its limits. I don’t know what’s the fuss with the Brunei national team. In today’s The Brunei Times, it was reported that Brunei has pulled out of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in the Philippines from March 22-26. The reasons were not stated as it just had the reasons due to the “unavoidable circumstances”.

We should be grateful that our football body or association has been reinstated by FIFA after the former association (BAFA) was being suspended and furthermore, BAFA was de-registered by the Registrar of Society. Now people has been asking what’s next after HBT 2012 where Brunei U-21 team unexpectedly defied the odds and lift the trophy. They have been comments and also on opinion page in the papers where the public wanted to know the vision and plans for the Brunei team. Reporters find it difficult to communicate with the right parties when it comes to the Brunei team. Local clubs and of course, DPMM FC, was a much easier task to gather information and people are able to be updated on the local football scene. However, when it comes to Brunei international team, it’s hardly being reported or shared.

Today was a sad moment to know that Brunei won’t be participating in the tournament. They could have improved their ranks by participating at least. They were supposed to take on Philippines, then Turkmenistan and Cambodia. The AFC Challenge is the counter-part of the Asian Cup and it is a biennial event for emerging footballing countries in Asia. Now ain’t that a good way to revive back our national sport in the international scene? This will make our country look bad and even complacent. I can tell you that the players are hungry to play for their country but I guess it was not meant to be.

What boggles my mind is the involvement of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports. I’m kinda wondering if the Brunei national team affairs is solely handled by National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam or is the Ministry also have some decision making powers in handling the national team. Why I bring this up is because of the article that was written today in The Brunei Times. The statement was issued by the Ministry and not NFABD. I’m quite confused as a supporter. Will this again bring the situation back to square one? I hope not. Maybe the agencies might feel like I’m talking rubbish here but the truth is there is no transparency and no one wants to be accountable when it comes to interviews (based on the reporters who are trying their best to get information). There was even an article written in goal.com where players feel the frustration of the situation and there have been loads of comments on the DPMM FC facebook group as they vented their frustration on Brunei’s absense. 

The public needs to know what’s going on with our national sport and what is the progress so far. Our football scene is so dominated with DPMM FC and the DST Super League (which is just over). This is the time for the football association to take charge and just follow the one great intention of bringing back the passion and pride once again to our hardworking national players and also the pride of our nation. Your thoughts?

His Royal Highness Prince Sufri Bolkiah was the newly elected President of NFABD

NFABD committee with officials from FIFA

Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Rahman (2nd from right) was the former president of NFABD and he stepped down before the 5th Extraordinary Congress

This is what the fans have been missing for a long time.. Our players representing our country, Brunei

Did you know the Simunic is the head coach for Brunei national team?

Click image to enter website 

RTB Carnival: From 22nd to 24th March 2013

Concepts Computer also participating at RTB Carnival

 

The car sticker that created a lot of interest among Bruneians. I belive this is the first of its kind and it has been on the road for quite some time. Click image to read comments

If I were to do one, then a 5 size photo and duck tape might be just sufficient for me *lol*

 

The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and Telekom Brunei Berhad (TelBru) have partnered to organise a ‘30 second Informercial’ Competition to mark the World Intellectual Property Day 2013. The World IP Day is a global event celebrated every April 26th by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to commemorate the importance of IP and the role it plays in our everyday life. On this occasion, Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), including Brunei Darussalam, celebrate the World IP Day with activities around the globe to discuss and demonstrate how IP works to contribute to the development of music and the arts and to drive the technological innovation that helps shape our world.

The BEDB’s ‘30 second Informercial’ Competition will run from March 11 to April 15, 2013. The Competition is hoped to increase awareness on the protection of Intellectual Property (IP) whilst encouraging innovation and creativity. The Competition is open to residents of Brunei Darussalam and is divided into two categories, the ‘Open Category’ and ‘Students Category’. Contestants wishing to enter the competition will have to film a ‘30 second Infomercial’ on the importance of IP protection based on this year’s World IP Day theme: ‘Creativity – the Next Generation’ and should submit their video clips and register their full details at the Patent Registry Office (PRO), Block B26, Knowledge Hub, Anggerek Desa (next to the iCentre).

Speaking on the BEDB’s hopes for the ‘30 second Informercial’ Competition, Shahrinah Yusof Khan, Deputy Registrar and Head of the Patent Registry Office (PRO) at the BEDB reflected on the Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of the BEDB Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Apong’s speech at the launching of the BEDB’s Creative Arts Facilities (CRAFT) earlier this year where he acknowledged digital multimedia to be part of the creative industry and a potential area for innovative start-ups to generate economic growth in Brunei. In line with the theme for WIPO’s Intellectual Property Day this year, Creativity – the Next Generation, she strongly urge students and young entrepreneurs to use their imagination, knowledge and enthusiasm to become part of a new generation of innovators.

A panel of judges comprised of the BEDB, TelBru and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) will judge the entries on creative thinking and production skills based on the title chosen as well as effectiveness in getting the message and theme across. The winning entries will be announced in a prize presentation ceremony on the World IP Day on April 26th at the iCentre in Anggerek Desa. The Gold entry will win a cash prize of BND$1,000 while Silver and Bronze entries will receive BND$700 and BND$500 respectively. In addition, a consolation prize of $200 will also be awarded for each category. It is anticipated that the winning entry will be published on WIPO’s World IP Day Facebook on April 26th and will be used by the BEDB’s Patent Registry Office (PRO) in its public awareness initiatives. All shortlisted finalists will also receive a basic training course in the field of Animation sponsored by the Creative Arts Facilities (CRAFT) which will be facilitated by an expert in Autodesk and Side Effects software.

For more information on the competition, please contact the Patent Registry Office (PRO) at telephone numbers 2380965/2380966 or visit their website at www.brunei-patents.com.bn.