April 27, 2009 (Guangzhou Daily Staff Reporter Wang Shuyun) – Road of Asia, a project jointly organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and GAGOC (Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee), has finished the Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei stops of its itinerary today. Yesterday, the Road of Asia representative group met with the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Committee (BDNOC) President HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, BDNOC Vice President Hj Rosli Haji Mohiddin, and other Brunei sports officials in Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan. BDNOC Vice President Hj Rosli Haji Mohiddin gave an enthusiastic welcome to the Road of Asia representative group. Head of the representative group Hua Xinfang delivered a presentation on the progress made by both the Asian Games and Road of Asia to the BDNOC President and Brunei sports officials. Hua also presented Road of Asia memorabilia and Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games mascots Le Yangyang and commemorating seals to BDNOC Vice President Hj Rosli Haji Mohiddin. Vice President Hj Rosli Haji Mohiddin in turn signed and placed his seal on the Road of Asia certificate of passage.

Brunei sports officials express goodwill by signing the Guangzhou Asian Games banner. Photo: Staff Reporter Wang Shiyun

The BDNOC President also introduced Brunei’s sports scene to Road of Asia. In addition to having participated in the Beijing 1990 Asian Games, Brunei enjoys many other sports interactions with China. Brunei currently employs many Chinese badminton, table tennis, and martial arts coaches. The BDNOC has recently sent out some athletes abroad to train in countries like Vietnam and Australia in preparation for the Guangzhou Asian Games. Brunei hosted the 1999 Southeast Asian Games. The country scored a historical breakthrough by winning a karate medal at the Pusan 2002 Asian Games, during which the Prince of Brunei also competed in the pool event. The BDNOC has expressed apologies for not being able to participate in the Beijing Olympics.

That Vice President Hj Rosli Haji Mohiddin and Brunei sports officials came to receive the representative group at the airport fully illustrated the high priority the BDNOC placed on the Road of Asia.