SPORTS medicine in the country is set to get a shot in the arm with the 2nd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sports Medicine Course.

The four-day event at a hotel in the capital kicked off yesterday with the aim of providing participants the opportunity to better understand the basic principles and concepts underlying sports medicine and sports science.

Organised by the Department of Youth and Sports and the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC), the course’s objectives are to raise the awareness of local sports personnel and athletes in the fields of athletic training, doping control, exercise, physical therapy and sports trauma.

The President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC) His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah officially declared the course open.

Twenty papers will be delivered by seven authorities from Asia over the duration of the course, with a workshop on first aid and resuscitation on Thursday afternoon marking the event’s climax.

This year marks the second time that Brunei has been given the privilege to host the event, the first being in 1998.

Conducted under the auspices of the IOC Medical Commission and funded by the Olympic Solidarity, 300 participants comprising members of the local and foreign medical profession and sporting fraternity are attending the course.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Medical Commission of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said that the response for the course was better than expected.

“I am thoroughly impressed with the turnout,” said Datuk Dr M Jegathesan, who is on the panel of speakers.

“One of the key elements in deciding which country should host the course was a previous track record, and we were happy with Brunei’s efforts during the first course.

“The purpose of this course is to impart knowledge in sports science to all here, and we hope to extend its critical mass (of knowledge),” added the Deputy President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

Other speakers include Maj Gen Dr C Thurairaja, Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz, Professor Sukadiyanto and Dr Nazar Luqman Bilgrami.

Dr Hj Danish Zaheer, Head of Sports Medicine and Research Centre under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports will be delivering three papers and Brunei’s Ilham Hj Mohd Ali will deliver a paper on “Nutrition for Elite Athletes” tomorrow.

Adviser to the Medical Committee of the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) and Honorary Medical Adviser of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Datuk Dr M Jegathesan presented papers on the Olympic Movement Medical Code, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Standards and WADA Anti-Doping Code 2009 yesterday.

Maj Gen Dr C Thurairaja talked about “Pre-Sports Participation Examination” while Professor Sukadiyanto gave an overview of Sports Psychology.

It will be a busy day for participants today with seven papers set to be delivered; “Adolescent and Children in Sports”, “Elite Athlete Training Principles”, “Pre-Competition Routines in Sports”, “Principles of Sports Injury Rehabilitation”, “Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sports”, “Sports Biomechanics and Performance”, and lastly, “Sudden Cardiovascular Death in Sports”.

Tomorrow’s focus will be on “Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Knee Deficit in Women”, “Goal-Setting Techniques in Sports”, “Health Consequence of Doping and Nutrition for Elite Athletes”.

A workshop on taping is also in the programme.

Talks on “Fieldside Assessment of Injuries”, “International Development in Sports Science and Physical Education”, “Stress Management in Sports and Women in Sports” will be delivered on Thursday. Courtesy of BruneiTimes

"In recognition of your outstanding effort in the promotion of sport in Laos, your bringing Southeast Asian athletes to share a unique experience of the Games in Vientiane, and for fulfilling the Olympic ideals as expounded by Pierre de Coubertin, the founding father of the modern Olympic Games, the IOC awards you the International Olympic Committee President's Trophy," said Ng.

"On behalf of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Family congratulate the Lao People's Democratic Republic for hosting the South East Asian Games for the very first time. You have organized excellent Games and extended your warm and wonderful hospitality and friendship to all the participants and visitors to the Games.

"To each and every one of the 3100 athletes from the 11 SEA Games countries, you have competed, lived and embraced the Olympic values of "Excellence, Friendship and Respect". Congratulations on your outstanding performances.

"On behalf of the International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, I have the privilege of honouring the Government and the people of Lao People's Democratic Republic and the man responsible for organizing the Games, His Excellency Somsavat Lengsavad, Standing Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 25th South East Asian Games."

Over the past three years, Laos have worked tirelessly to fulfil the Government's vision to promote sport among the people of the country, hence contributing to building a peaceful and better world through the practice of sport in the Olympic spirit. Sport is after all the only language understood by everyone, and an important element that unites people and the Laos government took on the challenge to host the 25th SEA Games and successfully transformed the sporting landscape of the country.

The Sports Complex at Km16 with its magnificent main stadium, aquatic centre, shooting range, tennis courts and competition halls, amongst the other outstanding facilities spread over Vientiane such as the SEA Games Golf Course and the Judo Hall are among the best found in the region.

"Excellency, your personal interest and attention in the organization of the Games have resulted in the most successful Games, not only in terms of the excellent organization and outstanding hospitality, but also in the remarkable performances from the Laos athletes. The Laos athletes achieved a record total of 33 gold medals, 25 silver and 52 bronze medals to finish seventh overall," he added.

The Laos People's Democratic Republic now joins the list of countries that have successfully hosted the South East Asian Games. In his keynote address during the closing ceremony of the 25th edition of the SEA Games last night, His Excellency Bouasone Bouphavanh, the Prime Minister of the Laos said that Laos faced some difficulties in preparing for the Games.

"But as a member of ASEAN, we are committed to putting on the best Games we can. We, the Organizing Committee, contributed out best effort in every aspect to ensure that these SEA Games embody the Games' philosophy of cooperation, friendship and mutual development," added Bouasone.

"This is an opportunity for national economic and social development that will contribute to the preservation of our national culture and is a wonderful chance to show the world out beloved country which holds dear the sentiment of the Games motto: Generosity, Amity, Healthy Lifestyle." Courtesy of ICT Committee.