PENANJONG GARRISON, Tuesday 20 January 2015 – His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, General of Royal Brunei Armed Forces consented to officially open the 11th Brunei International Shooting Skill at Arms Meet (11th BISAM) this morning at Binturan Shooting Range Complex, Penanjong Garrison, Tutong.
Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was welcome by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat and the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah.
His Royal Highness was later consented to meet and greet the Contingents Commanders of participating teams and had a group photo session comprising Senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and RBAF, Defence Advisors and Contingents’ representatives.
His Royal Highness proceeded to the Briefing Room at the STATS Centre for welcoming remarks by the Commander of RBAF, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah.
The RBAF Commander, in his welcoming address, said the number of participants in the BISAM this time exceeds that of the previous competitions, that is 16 countries are participating compared to 10 in 2012. This, he added, clearly shows the honour, confidence and support from friendly nations towards Brunei Darussalam as the host and organiser of the event, as well as the spirit of camaraderie among the countries involved.
The Chairman of the 11th BISAM, Lt Col Hasmee bin Haji Abdul Wahab, in his briefing, said that every contingent had undergone training aimed at providing them early exposure on all the events held. The contingents were scheduled to arrive last Wednesday. The contingent from the Sultanate of Oman was the earliest to arrive. The group was already in the country on the 29th of December 2014.
His Royal Highness was then invited to the Royal Dias to receive the Royal Salute led by Lt Col Azman bin Haji Bangkol, Parade Commander for the Opening Ceremony 11th BISAM.
His Royal Highness was then introduced to the Heads of Contingents of BISAM 2015. Four hundred and seventy-eighty personnel of Military and Defence Forces are taking part in the competition.
The recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah was led by the RBAF Religious Officer, Captain Ariffin bin Amit. At this ceremony, the Head of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Contingent handed over the Sultan’s Trophy of the Brunei International Skill-at-Arms Meet won by the team at the 10th BISAM in 2012. The trophy was handed over to 11th BISAM 2015 Chief Jury, Lt Col Haji Mohd Norfahsin bin Haji Abdul Karim.
His Royal Highness consented to declare the official opening of 11th BISAM which was followed by fireworks and colourful smokes throughout the shooting field and flags hoisting ceremony of 16 participating countries.
After the recital of doa, His Royal Highness continued to visit the Statistics Centre, Medical Centre and Chief Range Executive Officer Secretariat Office.
His Royal Highness’ next itinerary was taken to the 350 metres Point Gallery 1 Range where His Royal Highness was invited to participate in the VVIP Pistol Novelty Shooting Competition.
Before leaving the Binturan Shooting Range, His Royal Highness consented to present prizes to the winners of the special competition in the novelty pistol shooting competition. The winner was the “A’ Team led by His Royal Highness himself. The “B” Team led by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat won the second place; while the “H” Team led by Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip was in third.
His Royal Highness was also presented with a ‘Pesambah’ and the signing of Royal Parchment.
The 11th BISAM is an international shooting event bringing in the finest firers and marksmen from different countries. The event provides an opportunity to facilitate self-confidence, improvement in shooting skills as well as the overall professional development of all participants. At the same time, this international event provides an important platform to maintain and enhance the friendly relations between respective countries and armed forces.
BISAM is held every three years. The championship runs for 11 days,
starting today. This year sees the participation of new marksmen and
shooters from China and the United States. The theme of the 11th BISAM –
“A Strong Unity – the Catalyst of Excellence” reflects the importance
of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect among the countries
involved in the effort to tackle current challenges of the globalisation
era.
The 11th BISAM participants are Brunei Darussalam ‘A’ and ‘B’ together with the Royal Brunei Police Force, Australia, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of the Philippines, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Singapore, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Sultanate of Oman, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
