300 partake in bicyclethon to mark World Habitat Day

Participants of all age taking part in a bicyclethon organised by the Housing Development Department, Ministry of Development to mark World Habitat Day yesterday.
SOME 300 cyclists took to the street yesterday in a bicyclethon, an outdoor activity which was organised by the Housing Development Department of the Ministry of Development to mark World Habitat Day.

Cyclists at the department's parking area as early as 7am and began with a light aerobic exercise.

Minister of Development Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, who was among the participants, started off the event which took cyclists along the 44km route, starting at the headquarters.

Traffic gave way to the storm of cyclists as they made their way, passing through four checkpoints at Kg Jangsak, Jalan Jerudong, Tungku Beach and Tungku Link Highway, before finally reaching the finish line at the headquarters. The bicyclethon took roughly two hours.

Open to all cycling enthusiasts in the country, the event was held to enhance the harmony, cooperation and unity among officers. It also aimed to create awareness on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

Safety was a priority in the bicyclethon as the cyclists were escorted by police motorcycles through the streets, accompanied by safety vehicles.


Development Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah (in red shirt) joins 300 other cyclists in a bicyclethon to mark World Habitat Day

Good response to Shahbandar run

SOME 350 people took part in the 6th Bukit Shahbandar Challenge at Bukit Shahbandar Forest Reserve yesterday, an event aimed at raising public awareness on the importance of "urban forestry" amid the global agenda on climate change.

The challenge was jointly organised by the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) and the Brunei Sawmillers Association (BSA) in conjunction with the World Forestry Day 2009.

"Forests play a vital role in sustaining life in the country, reducing and stabilising the global temperature as well as providing the urban community with a healthier environment. It is therefore our role and responsibility to protect and look after it," said one of the working committee members, Ahmazey Ahmad, Head of Promotions Unit at the Forestry Department.

"This is one of the public-approach campaigns that will continue to be organised to attract more people of all ages to support the national forest conservation policy in achieving our goal to remind Bruneians of the importance of forests to the ecosystem," he added.

The event was intentionally held at Bukit Shahbandar in order to further promote the recreational park as one of the most popular ecotourism sites in the country, due to its beautiful and scenic view of the beach, heath and pine forests blended with the rugged terrains which are suitable for physical endurance activities such as jogging, jungle trekking and hiking.

A total of seven categories were competed, namely Category A (Male Open) designated for male runners; Category A (Amateur) for males aged between 15 and 35; Category B for males aged between 36 and 49; male veterans aged 50 years and above came under Category C while Category D was for female participants aged between 15 and 34 and Category E for females 35 years and above.

The final category is a new one called the Fun Run Category for children aged 14 and below.

"The Fun Run Category is a new addition to the challenge as we've had kids interested to participate in the previous challenges held early this year but we were unable to place them in a suitable category then," said Ahmazey.

"Due to public requests, we are proposing to include a category for senior citizens in future events, which is still under discussion," he added.

"We have seen a larger turn up of participants this time as we are also getting in interested foreigners from neighbouring countries such as Miri and Limbang," said Ahmazey.

Present as the guest of honour was the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar who also participated in the challenge under Category B.

Kick-starting the run was MIPR's Deputy Minister Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab. Also seen participating in the run was the Philippines Ambassador to Brunei, Alexander B Yano.

First F1 Night Race Tonight

Tonight is when all the fun begins. The Singapore Grand Prix, the first ever night race in the history of Formula 1 racing, will set to stage later this evening in the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. The entire track will be illuminated by a series of lights and projectors which adapt their output to match the shape of the course and it will look astounding with the colorful lights of the city in the background.

Those who are flying off to Singapore this weekend are surely lucky enough to witness this astonishing event later tonight (and they'd better be bringing their cameras along with them). As for the rest of us, we could only witness it on TV. I think I'll head over to Blue Eden tonight. Sucks no Astro at home.

Football Night With The Havoc Bloggers

Saturday night's spent watching Liverpool vs Manchester United with my fellow Havoc Bloggers Marriz and Cybercanon at Coffeezone Kiulap, along with colleagues Achong, Ain and Muiz. Liverpool won, and I'm happy. I'm not exactly a football fan, but I'm just happy.


These guys sure weren't happy, maklumlah Man U fans. Look at the demon in their faces! Bwahaha!

Splash

That huge puddle of water nearby one of the huts in Muara Beach sure looked pretty. I asked seniors Khai and Bol to take a splash and play a game of catch along the way so that I could photo-shoot them in motion.














Hehehe.

xBiz Futsal Open 5 a'Side Championship

Here's a public service announcement brought to you by xBiz which you might be interested in:

In conjunction with His Majesty's 62nd birthday celebration, XBIZ TEAMWORKZ MANAGEMENT SERVICES once again will be organising the xBiz Futsal Open 5 a'Side Championship for the second time which will be held at UBD Sports Complex on July 13, 20 and 27.

The entry fee is $110 per team. The Champions will receive $1,000 cash plus medals, trophy and championship trophy, while 1st runner-up will get $500 cash, medals and trophy and 2nd runner-up will get $300 cash, medal and trophy.

Registration forms are obtainable from Gills Sports Kiulap Branch and the dateline for entries is July 5. For further details, contact Ak Yus at 8624186 or e-mail: xbiz_teamworkz@hotmail.com or log on to the xBiz website.

The event is sponsored and supported by Gills Sports, XII Futsal Brothers Club and DSA Trading. The draw for the meet will be held at Business School Lecture Theatre on July 6.