By Achong Tanjong
Six Asean countries have been invited to compete in the Asean Invitational Traditional Tug-of-War Championship, hosted by Brunei Darussalam for the first time, in conjunction with the 60th birthday celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
The championship, organised by the Tug-Of-War Association of Brunei Darusalam, will see the six nations - Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines - vying for the Sultan Trophy.
Besides the challenge trophy, champions will also receive $10,000 cash, an additional trophy and individual medals. First runners-up will receive a trophy, medals for each participant and $7,000 cash, while second runners-up will receive a trophy, individual medals and $5,000 cash. There will also be a $1,000 bonus for the finalist team ($500 for each round).
The third to sixth placed teams will each receive a trophy and $1,000 cash.
These details were disclosed at a meeting held on Monday at the Secretariat Building in the capital. Present at the meeting were Dato Awg Haji Adnan bin Haji Hanafiah, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Executive Organising Committee members of the Tug-of-War Association, Pg Haji Jadid and Mr Chan Su Kiat.
Also present were representative from embassies and high commissions of participating countries. The representatives were also given a DVD explaining the traditional tug-of-war in Brunei as well as the rules and regulations of the contest.
The championship will be held for three days with the preliminary heats and semi-final to be held on August 2 and 3.
The final and prize presentation will be held at the Taman Haji Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital on August 5, where His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and members of the royal family are expected to grace the event
The organising committee said the championship will be held every three years beginning this year, with the next competition expected to take place in 2009.
The objective of the championship is to strengthen the spirit of friendship among Asean member countries and at the same time to promote the traditional tug-of-war of Brunei to Asean as well as internationally. It also aims to enliven the 60th birthday celebration of His Majesty.
The invited countries are only allowed to send one team of 20 people comprising 15 members, three reserves, one manager and one coach.
Each team should have combined weight (18 members) of not more than 1,900kg (using a digital counter) prior to arrival in the country. The contest will be held in round robin system.
The closing date of participation is July 11, at 4pm. For more information contact the Tug-Of-War Association at +673 2456772 Fax-+673 2456773 or e-mail ptkbrunei@yahoo.com.sg.
The invited Asean teams are expected to arrive in Brunei on July 31.
- Borneo Bulletin
(5th July 2006)
