His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, consented to launch and take part in the Olympic Day Run 2005, Sunday.
 

The run began and ended at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas. His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah took part in the five kilometres for men over 50 years category. The traditional run has been organised since 1987 by all National Olympic Committees and falls on 23rd June and is observed on that day or the weekend. Brunei joined the run when its National Olympic Council became a member of the Olympic movement.
 

Some one thousand and three hundred runners took part in the various categories that includes people with special needs such as the paraplegics, those with intellectual disabilities, and the hearing and visually-impaired. They ran a course of between two to ten kilometres. This year’s Olympic Day Run is particularly important for it is especially to commemorate the International Year of Sport and Physical Education.
 

His Royal Highness later consented to present prizes to the winners in the various categories. Hairie bin Haji Mat Juli and Haji Noorishanuddin bin Haji Nor Kaseh respectively won the people with special need, in the wheel chair category. Mohamad Arris bin Haji Osman and Norsyairah binti Ali were the winners in the boy’s and girl’s under 15 respectively. For women of all age category went to Mariam Agong. Sifli Ahar won the men’s below 50 years category, while Lee Kin Hing won in the men’s above 50 years.
 

The International Olympic Committee was found by Pierre De Coubertin on the 23rd June 1894 at the University of Sorbonne in Paris, France. The annual run marked the commemoration of the Olympic Day every year. After 111 years of its existence, the aim of Olympic remains the same that is to hold sports everywhere in the world.

Law enforcement agencies are called to upgrade their efforts and cooperation in curbing drug trafficking in the country. The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs said at the same time, the private sector, non-government organisations, youth associations, parents and communities of all walks of life also have their own responsibility in addressing this problem. Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Dani made the call at a function to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Sunday.

This year, the United Nations chose the theme “VALUE YOURSELF...MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES” which is very appropriate because all Bruneians should be aware of their self-value as a human being created by Allah the Al-mighty who has a high value and important asset for the development and progress of families, community and country as well as other human being.
 

By appreciating self-esteem, decision and option made will be inline with the beneficial matter and not that can jeopardise the health and life in the future. This means every people should made a correct choice for a much healthier life by keeping away from drug. This can be achieved by actively involved in religious, cultural, economy and sports activities.
 

The observing of the International Anti Drug Misuses and Drug Trafficking Day was organised by the Narcotic Control Bureau with the cooperation of various private agencies who supported the anti-drug activity.

Methyl amphetamine, better known as Syabu, remains the most prevalent drug of choice amongst the drug abusers in Brunei Darussalam. Syabu continues to entrap Bruneian youths, the majority of whom are unemployed. According to the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) statistics this year, Syabu still tops the rank of drugs seized.

The amount of Syabu seized in the first four months of this year has already exceeded the total amount seized in 2004 and 2003. The latest statistics from the bureau showed that until the end of April 2005, the bureau has seized four hundred and ninety grammes of the white crystalline drug compared to four hundred and forty-nine grammes seized in 2004 and one hundred and thirty-four grammes in 2003. Syabu was first noted in Brunei in 1993 with the seizure of a small amount of one point one grammes. Syabu has a lethal long term effect on the user as it is known to cause damage to lungs, liver and kidneys, lead to violent behaviour, insomnia and lower the body’s resistance to diseases.

The Narcotic Control Bureau warned that anyone found in possession of more than 50 grammes of Syabu, which is classified under the class ‘A’ category, for the purpose of trafficking in Brunei, carries the death penalty.
Another drug that is widely abused in the country is Cannabis. The Narcotic Control Bureau said until April this year, five grammes of cannabis was seized. In 2004 and 2003, two hundred and forty grammes and four hundred and fifty grammes of the drug were seized respectively.

Besides Syabu and Cannabis, other types of drugs confiscated last year included Cannabis resin at 29 grammes, five tablets of Ephedrine and three tablets of Codeine. The bureau also revealed that amongst Bruneians, Malays, unemployed and those aged 31 years and above have dominated the statistics for the first four months of this year, similar to 2004 and 2003. Until May this year, two hundred and nineteen arrests have been made including forty-three women. Of that, one hundred and sixty-seven including fifteen women have been convicted. Last year, two hundred and twenty male and thirty women have been convicted.

The bureau reminded the public that allowing residential dwellings to be used for the distribution, processing or any drug abuse-related activities is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Terry Pilkadaris from Australia emerged as the champion in the Asian Tour 2005 Brunei Open. He carded an accomplished four-under-par 67 at the Empire Hotel and Country Club for a 19-under-par 265 winning total. Besides winning the challenge trophy, Terry Pilkadaris also won the cash prize of US$47,250. Second place went to Jarrod Lyle also from Australia, while Rick Gibson from Canada came in third.
 

Prizes were handed over by Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah. The staging of the ‘Brunei Open 2005’ is expected to position Brunei Darussalam as a high-profile golfing destination in the region with its excellent and challenging championship courses that can be enjoyed by visitors to the sultanate.
 

Terry Pilkadaris broke through in a big way in 2004, winning back to back titles in China at the Crowne Plaza Open in Shanghai and Sanya Open. In a media conference after the tournament, he shared his experienced playing in the country.

A five-day 11th South East Asian Table Tennis Association Junior Championship is currently being held in the country. The championship is taking place at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium Sport Complex in Berakas. The championship was officially launched by the Assistant Director Co-Curriculum Education Department, Ministry of Education, Awang Haji Mahrub bin Haji Murni.
 

Ten countries are taking part in the championship namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos and Myanmar. The championship is being organised by the Brunei Amateur Table Tennis Association which among others aimed at promoting lasting friendships amongst players from the participating countries and nurturing the young and potential players in this region to prepare themselves as national players in their respective countries.