As the sporting world steps into a brand new year, Brunei’s athletes are gearing up for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. With the holiday season now behind us, fresh ambitions stir within the country’s sportsmen and sportswomen as they prepare for the new season.
After a well-earned break, it’s time to return to the grind, knowing that this year promises to test their limits, fuel their ambitions, and propel them towards new heights in both regional and international competitions. The final months of the previous year were relatively quiet in terms of domestic competitions, as the majority of sporting calendars wrapped up and athletes took a well-deserved rest.
It was a time for reflection and recovery, as most major international sporting events had already concluded for the year.
Yet, this lull was simply the calm before the storm. As we usher in the new year, an air of anticipation fills the sporting community.
Athletes are sharpening their skills and re-setting their goals, knowing that the competitions ahead will define their journey.
For those selected through Brunei’s Talent Identification programme, this year could be the breakthrough they’ve been working towards. The programme, designed to discover and nurture emerging talent, will see some athletes take their first steps on the regional stage. For these up-and-coming stars, competing against seasoned athletes from across Southeast Asia will be a defining challenge.
This is the moment when they’ll have the opportunity to prove their worth and elevate their development to new extremes. It’s a chance to showcase their potential, push the boundaries of their skills, and perhaps even make history.
For seasoned athletes who have been competing at the top level for years, the coming months will be no less significant.
The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, set to take place in Thailand later this year, will see Brunei’s best sporting talents pit their strength, skill, and determination against some of the continent’s finest.
For many, this will be a chance to exact redemption-particularly for those who have been striving for a medal for years but have yet to reach the podium.
This year marks a new opportunity to step onto the podium and achieve what has eluded them in past games.
On the football front, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for both professional and domestic leagues.
As the football season kicks off once again across Southeast Asia, local fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the Brunei Super League (BSL).
DPMM FC, the country’s only professional club, has been hard at work in the transfer market, bringing in talented new players to strengthen their squad.
The signing of Icelandic defender Damir Muminovic and Latvian forward Davis Ikaunieks is expected to give the team the boost it needs after the untimely departures of key players like Australian defender Patrick Flottmann and Mexican striker Julio Cruz.
These new signings are expected to be pivotal in bolstering both the defence and attack, reinforcing DPMM FC’s quest to climb the league standings and vie for the title.
The team’s fans, always vocal and passionate, will be hoping that the fresh additions to the squad will deliver the results they’ve been waiting for.
But DPMM FC isn’t the only team aiming for the top this season.
The BSL is shaping up to be a thrilling competition, with DPMM FC’s second team making waves and currently leading the charge for the championship.
They have been in dominant form, winning all nine of their matches so far and holding a two-point advantage over reigning champions Kasuka FC in second place.
It’s clear that clubs all across the league are training hard and preparing for an intense battle, each with their eyes set on securing a strong finish in the country’s premier football division.
While the domestic league heats up, the added prestige of qualifying for the Shopee Cup is also a key motivator for teams.
The tournament pits Brunei’s best against Southeast Asia’s top clubs, offering a rare opportunity to showcase their talents on a larger stage.
The prospect of playing against established football powerhouses from the region adds another layer of excitement to the BSL this season, as clubs vie not only for national glory but also the chance to compete against the best the region has to offer.
This year also holds a special place for Brunei’s student-athletes, as the country prepares to host the ASEAN School Games.
This prestigious event will bring together young competitors from across Southeast Asia, offering them a platform to demonstrate their skills and earn recognition.
For many of these athletes, the ASEAN School Games represent a stepping stone to even greater opportunities, such as selection for the Malaysian Games (SUKMA), where the stakes are higher and the competition even fiercer.
The men’s national football team has also been in the spotlight, particularly after a year of controversy that saw the removal of the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) president.
Despite the challenges, the team now looks ahead to more competitive fixtures in the AFC Asian Cup final round qualifiers.
Drawn into Group ‘B’ with Lebanon, Yemen, and Bhutan, the Wasps will face a rigorous schedule from March through to the end of 2026.
These qualifiers will test the team’s mettle and could open the door for Brunei’s footballers to make an impact on the Asian stage.
The year kicked off with the Brunei Run 2025, where both recreational and competitive runners came together to share their love for the sport.
Among them, top athlete Ruzaini Mahadi continues to shine, securing second place in the men’s 10-kilometre open category.
The race, organised by AKIF Event Management, took participants on a challenging route through hilly terrains around the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, providing a tough but rewarding start to the year for runners of all levels.
As the new year unfolds, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining one for Brunei’s athletes.
Whether they’re chasing medals on the international stage, vying for domestic titles, or inspiring the next generation of talent, there’s no doubt that this year will be one of high stakes, fierce competition, and inspiring performances.
It’s a year that promises to see dreams realised, records broken, and new chapters written in Brunei’s sporting story. – Fadhil Yunus
