James Kon
The United States (US) Embassy in Brunei Darussalam hosted a celebration to mark the 247th Independence Day of the US at the residence of US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Caryn McClelland.
The sports themed event had guests in sports attire, attended by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad as the guest of honour with spouse Datin Hajah Binanun binti Haji Bungsu.
Also in attendance were visiting US football players Amy Allman Griffin and Lorrie Fair Allen, both FIFA World Cup winners.
US exchange programme alumni Aisyah Zulkarnain and Basil Ali performed the national anthems of both Brunei Darussalam and the US to kick start the event.
“I know sports teach us the value of discipline, hard work and perseverance on a personal level, as I have been a competitive athlete in college,” McClelland said.
“Sports can break barriers on a global scale to connect people and inspire us towards peace and mutual understanding,” she said in her welcoming remarks.
“These women are former professional football players and they have done everything you can in sport including winning separate FIFA World Cups for the US Women’s National Team,” said McClelland on the visiting US Department of State Sports envoys.
“They are here to promote gender equality, social inclusion, youth empowerment and sports development through a series of activities such as motivational talks, coaching clinics and training sessions for female athletes and Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam,” she added.
The event concluded with the ambassador presenting a US jersey and a football signed by the visiting athletes to the minister.
