His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam led the Royal Birthday Cycling Recreation 2023 around the capital yesterday to mark the monarch’s 77th birthday celebration.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Mu’min also attended the event.
On arrival, His Majesty and members of the royal family were greeted by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad and Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications along with other ministries and the Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation (BDCF).
His Majesty also signed a framed jersey and later joined members of the organising committee at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien for a group photo session.
His Majesty and members of the royal family along with cyclists travelled the 10.3-kilometre journey around the capital, passing Jalan Pretty, Jalan Elizabeth 2, Jalan Stoney, Jalan Haji Basir, Jalan Kumbang Pasang, Jalan Perdana Menteri, Jalan RIPAS, Jalan SOAS before concluding the ride at the Taman.
His Majesty then received a pesambah from Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi and BDCF President Haji Harith bin Pehin Haji Abdul Aziz.
The event continued with the entry of 77 cyclists comprising national cyclist athletes and clubs under the BDCF led by Pengiran Amar Suriani bin Pengiran Hashim for the 77-kilometre event. The team started the expedition at 6.30am with a flag-off by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The event also saw martial arts demonstrations by 335 athletes, of which 322 were national athletes, next generation of national athletes, athletes under the Youth and Sports Department, athletes from clubs under the association comprising 13 coaches of karate, kempo, kendo, kickboxing, taekwondo and pencak silat.
His Majesty and members of the royal family also mingled with cyclists and the public as well as interacted with vendors at Bandarku Ceria. – Rokiah Mahmud
