Badminton is on its way up!

Salam, good day. Yonex Brunei Open Ike Shio Cup 2010 begins this morning at Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex Indoor Stadium. The tournament which has attracted more than 400 participants is jointly organised by Brunei National Badminton Association and Nippon Badminton Association and fully supported by the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam as well as the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports. What makes the tournament very insteresting? It's all about the money! The total amount of $10,300 of cash prize is up for grabs. Also, what does Ike-Shio stands for? Ike-Shio is actually the name for two Japanese national shuttlers (mixed doubles) Reiko Shiota and Shintaro Ikeda. They will be here as well for the exhibition match. To all badminton enthusiasts, you are most welcome to watch the tournament from the 24th-29th January:)

Standard operation procedure

This is Brunei's potential

Yonex is still world's No.1!

The way they play is more mature than their age is

The dead ball with flying feathers!

This is (gold) two very good shuttlers

Not only the players are being groomed, but the umpire as well.

This is the junior shuttler not to be easily beaten *very good*

Haha, I can hardly see this in Brunei. Badminton is on its way up!

Proper training would make them a better player

Picnic...*not really*

Salam, good day. After Indoor Stadium, I went straight back home to pick up my family for picnic *not really a picnic, mind relaxing I would say...haha* At first, we went to Berakas Forest Reserved Beach. However since the car park is full and the changing room was a bit far from the beach, we changed direction to Muara Beach. Guess what? It was much better at Muara Beach:)

Very clean Muara Beach

Zahra' is enjoying the swing *actually this is after swimming*

Sa'adah with her tense look *haha*

Abdul Aziz with beloved babu enjoying the fresh breeze

With her 'always' tense look *Although she is very active*

Yet to get fit.

Salam, good day. I'm yet to get fit after few days of not feeling well. So far I never counts on it, I still attend the office though. Maybe it is related to the unpredictable weather we are experiencing currently. The kids however is getting better now which is good to see. At the same time I have few assignments to be completed with in a very limited space of time, so I really wish my health is getting normal soon. Talking about football, Rafael Benitez getting more pressure on his team current perfomance. After challenging for the title last season it has been a difficult campaign for Liverpool with the club currently lying seventh in the Premier League, 14 points behind Chelsea. Early exits from the Champions League, Carling Cup and FA Cup meaning another additional pressure on Benitez. Should the club not qualify for next season's Champions League his position would become increasingly fragile and the names of potential candidates for his job are already being listed. Should Rafa being ousted, Jose Mourinho is my first choice:)

Second half.

Salam, good day. Asia vs Europe 9 Ball Team Challenge 2010 has come to an end last evening at The Rizqun International Hotel. The three day tournament has pulled a large crowd, most of them are Filipino who gave their support for Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante who represent team Asia. At the end of the day, team Asia emerged as Champion after collecting 8 points to Europe's 7. It was the match between Bustamante and Nick van den Berg which decide the champion after both teams tied at 7 points. Bustamante won the deciding match by 5 racks to 3, meaning that team Asia won by 8-7. All round of applause to team Asia as well as team Europe who have shown their professionalism throughout the tournament:)

HRH Prince Abdul Malik consented to attend at the final match

Ruslan lead by 2-0

Lu Hui Chan however able to reduce the defisit

Time out after every 5 racks of play

Team Europe supporters

Bustamante of the Philippines in action against...

...Nick van den Berg of Hollad.

The loudest shout comes from here, supporting team Asia.

Although team europe is on the losing side, Mr Ralf 'the Kaiser' Souquet

however have shown his strong leadership as team captain.

Please turn your pc *hehe*

Handsome cash prize as well...

Not bad Ralf...with Nick on his side.

Flu.

Salam, good day. The 2nd day of 'Asia vs Europe 9 Ball Team Challenge 2010 has pulled larger crowd. It ain't local people but they are Filipino expate instead, who is offering their support for their national hero Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante. However both of them was unable to perform, Bustamante lost 1-5 to Ralf Souquet of Germany as well as Reyes who is still suffering from a back injury slightly defeated by Nick van den Berg of the Netherlands by 3-5. In other match Lu Hui Chan of Chinese Taipei won by 5-4 to an Englishman Imran Majid and pride of the host nation Teo Chee Soon silenced the European camp after defeated Ruslan Chinahov of Russia by 5-2. Big round of applause to the organiser who have shown their guts to organised such tournament, thank you:)

HRH The Crown Prince was among the attendees

Nick van den Berg on his way to defeat Efren Reyes

On 9 and shot!

You've won Nick!

Love lost...

Another milestone.

Salam, good day. This morning I attended 'Asia vs Europe 9-Ball Team Challenge 2010' at The Rizqun International Hotel. In his speech DP Hj Jemat Hj Ampal in his capacity as the Co-Chairman, Brunei Darussalam is very proud and honoured to organize such tournament with five world top rankings professional players from Europe and five top Asian ranking players have been invited to represent each continent. This prestigious invitational event is organized by the Brunei Darussalam Cue Sports Association with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and sponsored by GHK Motors Sdn Bhd is sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU) and the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF). Foooh, isn't this prestigious? Yes, it was. Also, I managed to squeeze hands with world top players!:)

HRH Prince Abdul Malik being introduced to Ralf 'the Kaiser' Souquet

HRH officiating the tournament

as well as Efren 'the Magician' Reyes & Francisco 'Django' Bustamante...

First from right is Ko 'the Prince' Pin Yi

Darren Appleton (1st from right) & Imran Majid (2nd from right)

Team Europe

Prior to the first match

Ralf with His Excellency Germany Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam

Ko in action

Nick Van den Berg *very noisy boy, haha*

Pouring hard...hardly flowing...

Salam, good day. Currently the country is experiencing an active weather. It's been raining for the past few days and it's heavy. I'm not sure if there is a landslide but the flash flood is everywhere mainly in the lowland area. With what we've been experiencing few months back, let's hope all comes good and for the residence in the lowland area please take extra precaution during this rainy season:)

BSB RTB Complex

The studio's door way

At building 2

Never wear branded shoes at RTB during the rainy season *haha*

Please drive carefully