Category Archives: Event
Brunei vs. Indonesia
This morning seems to be full of posts about Brunei vs Indonesia… not the football match itself (yet), but about the queuing.
At first glance I was a bit embarrassed and disappointed looking at my Bruneian fellows in a chaotic state, as if they weren’t considerate nor courteous. Unlike our Indonesian counterparts as shown below in a pic from one of the posts. I guess, the indonesians respect (or fear) the authorities in this country that is not theirs, that they queued willingly which seems without any help from the authorities.
But looking further, I imagined myself to be in the Bruneian “queue”, I find myself confused and a bit worried. I arrive there seeing the chaotic state, not knowing the head or tails of the queue. Considerate or not (which I believe I am), I would be in that crowd.
I guess our culture or entitlement is at play here. But also that the authorities were not prepared to handle this amount of crowd, and therefore were left short-handed to handle such and event. When it comes to System vs People, it is the system that guides and controls the people. How else would you explain places like MacD being able to train a (often rebellious) teenager to make the same burgers and fries consistently.
I also see post of complaints on how the tickets are finished or not enough, and some are blaming corruption (people inside reserving for other people). I am not really a football fan, but for this event I personally think that the tickets should have been charged, even if one dollar. But preferably a range price (from $5 to $50) for a numbered seat. It would reduce freeloaders, reduce the jam, get in the true fans, and make this event sustainable and even profitable.
The stadium can fit 30,000 people. even if they charged $1 there is $30,000 in revenue, how much does it cost to print the tickets? or hire guards? Oh how that money could be used to renovate the stadium or other costs? This is the final match, between two countries that relatively populate brunei. I bet real fans or even just patriotic nationals wouldn’t mind to pay. I don’t remember clearly, but I think during the Brunei vs Serawak in 1999, the tickets cost quite a sum, I remember family mentioned that they paid $100 for the whole family to get in the stadium. The stadium was packed, Brunei won. It is an experience that most people yearn for, to be there, to be a part of something that matters.
I am not a stadium manager, but I am in Business, it is not just about making money, it is about providing value and being sustainable to continuously be able to provide that value. I see that this match provides entertainment, and to the side that wins, gets pride and glory.
I may be a bruneian, but I am in no favor for either side. I can only expect that the best team wins tonite. Congratulations to the winner, and congratulations to all those who got the ticket, for being able to bear witness to this momentous event. 
Bday (not mine) at Escapade Sushi
First time I experienced someone’s bday was celebrated at Escapade sushi, Just a warning, even if the person was aware its his bday. He might still be surprised.
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Olympic Day Run 2010
On 20th June 2010, sunday – the olympic day run was held. The Starting line was at the Indoor Stadium and the Finishing Line was at the National Stadium.
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The event started off with a warm up /stretching exercise.
There were several categories, and so different categories started at different times.
The starting horn was sounded off by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri.
Even the prince participated in one of the categories.
Depending on the categories, the distance and routes were different.
The finishing line was at the front of the national stadium berakas. Where volunteers kept track of the runners that finished.
The runners and volunteers rested while waiting for everyone to finish.
The top runners were asked to sit on chairs so they could be organized in the prize presentation
All runners that finished were given a certificate stating that they participated in the olympic day run.
In the closing ceremony, his highness was asked to present prizes to the top runners in the various categories.
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If you were a participant in the event and you want to tag yourself. you can go to my facebook photo album.
I’m running 10km this sunday
This sunday is the olympic day run at berakas stadium. I am going to join in the fun.
www.bt.com.bn/sport-national/2010/06/17/host-events-planned-olympic-day
Honestly I haven’t run the distance in a while, heck i haven’t done distance running in a while. but i tested myself this week 10 round of the running track (4km) and I did fine in my own pace. although slower than my speed when I did the marathon in 2005.
incidentally, i found a few articles stating that running statistically improves lifespan
Anyone one to join? I put an event invite on my fb
Special Olympics Briefing
7th March 2010, Sunday – A Briefing on the Special Olympics was held to inform parents, teachers and relatives of special kids to participate the special olympics. Among the attendees were teachers and students from Pusat Bahagia Tutong.
Teachers/Staff from Pusat Bahagia
Among the topics the speaker talked about were:
- To not be berated about participating the special kids to the Special Olympics, as this might be an opportunity for those kids to do things that other “normal” kids nor adults do.
- How some special kids had the opportunity to compete regionally as well as internationally.
- How some special kids are at times better in physical sports than most normal kids, citing a special kid that was running with the Olympic torch at a speed of 8 minutes per kilometer. (That’s about 2 round and a half of the running track in 8 minutes)
- How participating might lead to other opportunities such as a previous special kid was invited to, and participated in climbing up Mount Kinabalu.
- The speaker called more special kids in Tutong to represent, as previously there has only been 5.
It was informed that Training for the special olympics will be held at Sekolah Menengah Berakas on Friday Morning starting from 12 March 2010.
Any interested parent or guardian can send their special kids for training and apply for their kids to participate in the Special Olympics.
More pictures at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=124776&id=550578077&l=0de825634b
