Crown Prince watches charity matches to raise money for the tsunami aid fund

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah have consented to watch the charity matches to raise money for the tsunami fund. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also consented to present the 'B-League Awards 2004'. The event was held at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

Proceeds from the ticket sold last night will be donated to the Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund Committee of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports. The first match was between the Brunei Under-21 team and the 2004 FA Cup finalist, ABDB. The match was won by ABDB in green jersey 1-nil.

Meanwhile, in the second friendly match, the Brunei M-League team played against the Singapore Armed Forces Warriors FC. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also consented to greet the players of both teams.

At the same time more activities have been organised to raise funds for the Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund. A Charity Golf Tournament organised by the Royal Brunei Airlines has raised more than ten thousand dollars. The one-day tournament which was held at the R-B-A Golf Club drew a total of one hundred and ninty seven golfers. Present at the event was the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister of Office, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila DiRaja Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hazair who is also the Chairman of R-B-A.

Meanwhile several walkathons were held separately yesterday to raise money for the Tsunami Relief Fund. In the Tutong District, a 3-kilometer walkathon organised by the Mukim Pekan Tutong and Mukim Keriam Consultative Council with cooperation of the Relief Fund for Tsunami Victims Committee has drew many participants. Prior to the start of the event, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Haji Adanan received the donations and proceeds which were raised by Government Departments, Uniform Personnels, Corporates, Associations, Primary and Secondary Schools in Tutong District. More than 15 thousand dollars were collected.

The Royal Brunei Police Force of Jerudong Branch also held a similar event at at the parking area of the Istana Nurul Izzah in Jerudong. More than one thousand and three hundred dollars were raised. About four hundred participants including police officers and staffs and their families as well as residents of both Mukim Sengkurong and Mukim Pengkalan Batu took part in the walkathon. The walkathon began with an aerobic session led by the Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Abdul Rahman. The event was also held in conjunction with the 84th Anniversary of the Royal Brunei Police Force.

The Brunei Association of Banks also held a similar activity at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday. Prior to the walkathon, a presentation of cheque amounting to more than 47-thousand and 5-hundred dollars were presented to the director of Community Development, Datin Hajjah Adina who's also the secretary of the Relief fund for Tsunami victims by the Managing Director of Brunei Islamic Bank of Brunei, Awang Haji Mohammad Roslan Bin Haji Mohammad Daud who's also the Chairman of the Brunei Association of Banks. More than 500 participants that comprised of banks's members of board of directors, banks's chief executive officers,officers and staffs of the associations as well as their families took part in the charity walkathon.

In the Belait district, more than 41-thousand 7-hundred dollars has been collected so far through the 'sponsored Card Charity Walkathon' for the Tsunami disaster victims fund. Nearly 2-thousand people took party in the charity walkathon held at the padang Bandaran Kuala Belait. Among those present were the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dato Paduka Hj Awang Abd Rahman bin Mohiddin and the Belait District Officer, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yussof bin Bakar.

Traditional local retail product are on display at the Patriotisma Gallery

The "Gallery Patriotisma" or Patriotism Gallery which is currently being held at the Departure Hall of the Brunei International Airport is showcasing a number of local traditional retail products, and is aimed at instilling a sense of pride among members of the public at the rich and colourful traditions and crafts that have long existed in Bruneian culture. About twenty local entrepreneurs are taking part in the Gallery Patriotisma, showcasing local products in the clusters of fashion, fabric, food and tourism. The gallery is open to all members of the public until the 9th of next month.