THE Brunei River, home to the traditional water village, became a colourful venue for boat races of the Regatta Brunei Darussalam 2014, pitching teams from both local and overseas participants.

The event was a walk down memory lane as it revived the legacy during the golden era of the Brunei River. The regatta was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister?s Office,?yesterday.

Accompanying His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah were His Royal Highness Prince ?Abdul Malik and other members of the royal family.

Also at the event were Cabinet Ministers, state dignitaries, members of foreign dignitaries, as well as heads of government department, and guests from the private sector.

First up in the race category was the ?Inter-Ministerial Traditional 25 Paddlers? Boat Race? at the waters of Kampong Tamoi Ujung followed by 30hp and under speed boat race (four laps), fibre glass race ? 15 paddlers invitation, water taxi 85hp (5 laps), speed boat 50hp and under (5 laps), Jet Ski 4 Stroke (normally aspirated, 8 laps) and traditional boat race ? 25 paddlers (open) and 60 SST Speed Boat Race (6 laps).

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was greeted on arrival at the Dermaga Diraja by Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman; Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources; Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and members of the Executive Committee of the event.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was then ushered to the Dermaga Diraja for a special boat ride with the Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and members of the of the Executive Committee of Brunei Regatta 2014.

His Royal Highness then flagged off the first race. The Crown Prince also watched the other races from the royal dais. Before the conclusion of the morning race and prize presentation ceremony, His Royal Highness flagged off the 60 SST Speed Boat Race (6 laps). His Royal Highness also presented prizes to winners in various categories.

The Inter-Ministerial Traditional 25 Paddler?s Boat Race was won by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources while the 15-paddler fiber glass race was won by Brunei C.

Gemilang III won the 50hp speed boat race, and Jet Ski 4 Stroke race was won by Hj Idzam Norhaidi Hj Mashud, Pasukan Gamba BD won the ?25 paddlers traditional boat race? while the 60 SST Speed Boat race was won by Miratrisyia Racing Team. - Borneo Bulletin (3 March 2014)