Opening Ceremony:
The 20^th SEA Games' flame is now burning high above the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, marking the official start of the prestigious sports event.

His Majesty Paduka Sri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam., Her Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam consented to attend the official opening ceremony.

Upon arrival at the stadium, His Majesty, Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness were greeted by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, The President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council and Chairman of the 20^th SEA Games Organising Committee. Also present were His Majesty's sons and daughters as well as members of the royal family.

The event began with the march pass by 50 flag bearers symbolising the SEA Games Logo and Mascot, followed by 100 flag bearers carrying the flags of all participating nations. Contigents of each country also paraded into the stadium.

For Brunei's Contigents, this year's SEA Games is more meaningful with the participation of His Majesty's sons and daughters in the march pass. They were led by His Royal Highness The Crown Prince Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah. With His Royal Highness were His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen, Her Royal Highness Princess Azemah Ni'Matul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzillah Lubabul Bolkiah.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah in his Welcoming Sabda says friendly biennial sports competition will foster friendship and understanding among the Asean Nations for mutual good and benefit. The cross-cultural and multinational interaction among the ten participating nations he added can only result in stronger ties which will last beyond the 20^th SEA Games.

The Highlight of the event was the lighting of the 20^th SEA Games couldron by Dayang Umi Kalthum binti Haji Karim, Brunei's Gold Medalist in Pencak Silat event in the 17^th SEA Games in Singapore.

The reading of the SEA Games oath was led by the 15^th SEA Games Gold Medalist in Shooting event, Luitenant Colonel Dato Setia Haji Md Samid bin Haji Abdul Aziz.

Field performance performed by more than five-thousand students and three hundred Brunei Shell Employees brought life to the glorious night. The sky above were lit with fire works adding the glitter and splendour to the event while down below hundreds of students, using colourful flip cards enchanted those present.

Brunei Darussalam's is sending 370 athletes to the game and for the first time will compete in all 21 events. Indonesia is represented by 354 - strong contigents, Cambodia with 65 athletes, 41 athletes from Laos, 335 from Malaysia, Myanmar with 139 athletes, Philippines with 258 athletes, 268 athletes form Singapore, 361 from Thailand and 174 athletes from Vietnam.

His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizaddien Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam   consented to visit the 20^th SEA Games village.

His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizaddien Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam this morning consented to visit the 20^th SEA Games village in Jalan Ong Sum Ping in the capital. With His Majesty was His Majesty Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al Mustain Billah, the Sultan of Pahang.

On arrival, His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Majesty, the Sultan of Pahang were greeted by Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara Pengiran Muda Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, and the chairman of 20^th SEA Games organising committee.

The Games village is made of residential and administrative blocks. The thirteen residential blocks, which are from eight to fourteen storeys high, consist of 474 furnished apartment. Each apartment has three to four bedrooms. The four administrative blocks house among others, the front desk, game village management offices, Media Sub-Centre, Telecom, Business and Medical Centres and a Police Station.

His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam who's the patron of the 20^th SEA Games and His Majesty the Sultan of Pahang, then visited the apartments allocated to the athletes and officials of the ten participating countries. During the visit, their Majesties consented to speak to the members of the SEA Games Federation Council, Chef De Mission, Athletes and Officials. The games village in Jalan Ong Sum Ping can accomodate up to five thousand athletes and officials. The SEA Games organising committee has endeavoured to provide the best facilities and services to make stay of the athletes and officials. There pleasant and comfortable. The committee hopes the guests find the accommodation and their surroundings conducive and meet their expectations. Foreign correspondents in the country covering the SEA Games consider the games village as the best ever provided in SEA Games history.

Later, His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang DiPertuan Of Brunei Darussalam and His Majesty the Sultan of Pahang consented to attend a luncheon with the athletes and officials. Their Majesties visit to the games symbolised Asean solidarity and friendship.

Brunei’s Monarch entertains athletes and officials of the 20^th SEA Games to a dinner.

His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Dipertuan Of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam, His Majesty Sultan Haji ahmad Shah Al Mustain Billah, The Sultan Of Pahang and Her Royal Highness Sultanah Kalsom, Sultanah Of Pahang have consented to attend a welcoming dinner for members of the SEA Games Federation Council, Chief De Missions, Athletes and Officials of the 20^th SEA Games. The dinner was hosted by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.

On arrival at Assarra, their Majesties, Her Royal Highness, The Sultan and Sultanah of Pahang were welcomed by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, The President of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council and Chairman of the SEA Games Federation. Present at the ceremony were His Majesty’s sons and daughters as well as other members of the Royal Family.

His Royal Highness in his sabda said the SEA Games brought the ten participating countries together, not only for friendly competition, but also to remind them on how much they have and share in common, be it in social, economic or education fields. Together with friendly competition, he said, closer association could be forged which will promote greater regional understanding and cooperation.

His Royal Highness then presented souvenirs to Chief-De-Missions from all participating countries.

Brunei Darussalam was given the honour to host the 20^th SEA Games this year, its’s first since joining the event in 1977. 21 events will be completed in the nine-day event. As the host country, Brunei athletes will compete in all events. A total of 789 medals are at stake. More than five thousand athletes are taking part in the games. The 20^th SEA Games is the last major sporting event in this region this century, and Brunei aims to become the best host for the prestigious event.

Snooker:
Brunei Darussalam lost  by two to one to Vietnam., Malaysia lost to Thailand, the Philippines beat Myanmar and Indonesia beat Singapore.

His Royal Highness The Crown Prince, Pg Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah played in the preliminary rounds of the SEA Games Billiard and Snooker Championship, in the Team Nine-Ball Pool event today. Brunei's National team lost in the fixture by two to one to Vietnam. Malaysia lost to Thailand, the Philippines beat Myanmar and Indonesia beat Singapore.

Even though the National team lost, His Royal Highness The Crown Prince played an excellent game, beating Vietnam's Ngugen Xuan Thans by eleven frames to five. The semi finals took place this afternoon.

The Brunei Darussalam Snooker team lost by two games to nil. The Indonesians lost to Singapore by the same margin. The Snooker semi-finals also took place this afternoon at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

 Trade Fair '99 and Food Fair of the 20th SEA Games.

Brunei Darussalam, being the host of the 20^th SEA Games aims to be recognised as the best organiser as well as a country that provide excellent services and hospitality. The Sultanate also hoped to be recognised for its high quality products.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Haji Daniel was speaking while officiating the 20^th SEA Games Trade Fair '99. He urged local private sectors to promote local products as it will increase business networking and close cooperations with foreign enteprenuers, who are taking part in the fair. The ten-day fair is being held at the Centerpoint in Gadong. Variety of local and foreign products are on sale. The Brunei Malay Chambers of Commerce and Industries and Primary Resources, jointly organised the fair. Through it they hoped to promote local products to the public and foreign visitors alike.

Meanwhile, a  traditional food fair as part of the 20^th SEA Games celebration is currently being held at the open area of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah foundation building in the capital. The two-day event was officiated this morning by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Awang Haji Abdul Rahman Bin Haji Mohiddin.

The fair was to promote various local traditional delicacies especially to those who are currently in Brunei for the SEA Games festival. Here they will be able to experience the taste of local foods and cakes, the event is organised by the Brunei Hotel association with the co-operation of the Tourism Section, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, the Women Council, the Tanah Jambu association-PITA and Penghulus of Mukim Burung Pingai, Sengkurong and Kampong Menunggol. It is jointly sponsored by the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah foundation. More than 20 types of Brunei Traditional food ranging from cakes to cooked fish and vegetables and the Bruneian style are on display. The event is open from half past nine in the morning until five in the afternoon. Apart from tasting the delicacies, visitors will also be able to see traditional handicraft making and several cultural and traditional music show.

The 20^th SEA Games commemorative stamps.

The 20^th SEA Games commemorative stamps are on sale to the public today. Each design potrays the games logo which symbolises the unity of the South East Asian nations.

Each stamps costs Twenty cents, while the Commemorative First Day cover with the full set of ten stamps cost two dollar forty five cents. The public can buy them at all Post Office in the country. The SEA Games set is a collectors item, because unless a member nation fails to host it on rotation, Brunei’s next turn will only come in Twenty years time.