Youth bodies lament lack of funding
Saturday, August 4, 2007
YOUTH Associations in Brunei Darussalam lamented their financial condition at the launching of the Youth Customer Day at the Indoor Stadium, Berakas yesterday.Open to the public for three days, the rare event saw some 26 associations putting up exhibitions at the stadium to promote their cause or activities.
Present as guest of honour at the event was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud.
The event also saw the awarding of appreciation incentives to the winner of the 2007 Asia Pacific National Youth Qari and Qariah at Musabaqah Tilawatil Qu'ran and the presentation of monetary support to the National Sports Association.
An exciting side event at the exhibition was a spontaneous quiz that saw winners walk away with plane tickets and electrical appliances. Ben Bourne, rugby national coach and the Rugby Association chairman, said that the exhibition was good platform for the promotion of various activities or clubs in Brunei.
Speaking on behalf of the rugby association, Ben said that during the recent Division Six Asian nation series rugby tournament, the expatriates who came to compete expressed surprise that rugby exists in Brunei.
A more pressing concern in the mind of the coach was the minimal support from the government in terms of funding. The coach lamented the fact that the necessary equipment to train youths were not provided and yet the department expects results.
The Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) too faces the same problem.Sui Boon Ong, a member of the BBA, said most of activities had to be funded by the association members or private sponsors. "Funding from the government is slow because of red tape," Sui said.The comments of the associations were forwarded to the Vice President of the Brunei Youth Council (BYC), Pg Hj Suhaimi Pg Wahid who said the problems of youth associations in Brunei is threefold. "The lack of funding, leadership and management."
Pg Hj Suhaimi said collectively these three problems compound each other and exacerbate the situation further. The lack of leadership and management makes acquiring and appropriating funding harder. The role of the BYC is consult, coordinate and supplement the youth associations.Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (BAFA) Secretary General Pg Matusin Pg Matassan said "It is not fair to be totally dependant on the government," and that any government help at all should be welcomed and appreciated.The Brunei Times
Present as guest of honour at the event was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud.
The event also saw the awarding of appreciation incentives to the winner of the 2007 Asia Pacific National Youth Qari and Qariah at Musabaqah Tilawatil Qu'ran and the presentation of monetary support to the National Sports Association.
An exciting side event at the exhibition was a spontaneous quiz that saw winners walk away with plane tickets and electrical appliances. Ben Bourne, rugby national coach and the Rugby Association chairman, said that the exhibition was good platform for the promotion of various activities or clubs in Brunei.
Speaking on behalf of the rugby association, Ben said that during the recent Division Six Asian nation series rugby tournament, the expatriates who came to compete expressed surprise that rugby exists in Brunei.
A more pressing concern in the mind of the coach was the minimal support from the government in terms of funding. The coach lamented the fact that the necessary equipment to train youths were not provided and yet the department expects results.
The Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) too faces the same problem.Sui Boon Ong, a member of the BBA, said most of activities had to be funded by the association members or private sponsors. "Funding from the government is slow because of red tape," Sui said.The comments of the associations were forwarded to the Vice President of the Brunei Youth Council (BYC), Pg Hj Suhaimi Pg Wahid who said the problems of youth associations in Brunei is threefold. "The lack of funding, leadership and management."
Pg Hj Suhaimi said collectively these three problems compound each other and exacerbate the situation further. The lack of leadership and management makes acquiring and appropriating funding harder. The role of the BYC is consult, coordinate and supplement the youth associations.Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (BAFA) Secretary General Pg Matusin Pg Matassan said "It is not fair to be totally dependant on the government," and that any government help at all should be welcomed and appreciated.The Brunei Times
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