BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to officially launch the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) for ASEAN Youths Football Tournament 2014 last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Berakas, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
Upon arrival at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, His Majesty was greeted by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam. Also welcoming His Majesty were the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Di-Raja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair and members of the HBT organizing committee.
Also present were His Majesty’s princes, princesses and brother, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel, and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah. Shortly after arrival, the National Anthem was played.
His Majesty then consented to declare the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for ASEAN Youths Football Tournament 2014 officially opened.
His Majesty was then introduced to the team managers, coaches and team captains. Eleven countries are taking part in the tournament. Group ‘A’ comprises teams from Timor Leste, Laos, the Philippines, Myanmar and Thailand; while Group ‘B’ consists of teams from Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. His Majesty also consented to present souvenirs to team managers of the participating nations.
His Majesty then consented to receive a Pasambah from the HBT 2014 Organising Committee. The Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy Football Tournament is jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD).
The Official Launching Ceremony was followed by a Group B match between Host, Brunei Darussalam and Cambodia.