Golden start from the Brunei team at Games

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM won two gold medals on the opening day of the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Phillipines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) Friendship Games yesterday.

Hj Khairul Muizuddin Hj Ramli, Muhammad Haziq Hj Awang Harun, Muhammad Abdul Hazim Yunsi and Mohammad Faisal Ahad made the country proud when they emerged champions in the 4x100 meters relay with a time of 42.91 seconds. South Sulawesi came in second with a time of 42.94s while third place went to Sabah with a time of 43.36s.

"We had a lot of pressure going into the race ... we knew most of our rivals from the Malaysia Games (Sukma) and they are really fast," said Khairul after their victory.

"Nevertheless we did well and totally deserved the gold. We worked hard in training and it paid off," added his teammate Mohammad Faisal.

The sultanate's second gold medal was earned by 13-year-old Haazim Abdul Hadzid in the platform 3m diving.

"Everyday I drive him all the way from Tutong for his school and training, now it's finally bearing fruit," Haazim's father, Hadzid, told The Brunei Times yesterday.

"Hopefully with proper training he will progress to participate in bigger tournaments such as the Sukma," he added.

"He trains six times a week and I have supported him all the way," he added.

The sixth edition of the BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games, which started yesterday and end tomorrow, are being hosted for the first time by the sultanate. The Brunei Times