Acting Chairman of the ASEAN Committee Islamabad Wunna Han Ambassador of Myanmar, Ambassador of Vietnam Pham Anh Tuan and Ambassador-designate of Indonesia Chandra W Sukotjo also attended the event
Ansar M Bhatti
Islamabad,— In a vibrant display of sportsmanship, environmental care, and diplomatic friendship, the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam Col ® Kamal Ahmed hosted a special kayaking event at Rawal Lake on Sunday to mark the 58th ASEAN Day celebrations.
The initiative, part of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to enhance people-to-people connections, offered kayaking activities for diplomats, their families, and friends from the diplomatic community. The event brought together ASEAN Ambassadors, diplomatic staff, and members of the local sports community for an afternoon of recreation and goodwill.
Acting Chairman of the ASEAN Committee Islamabad Wunna Han Ambassador of Myanmar, Ambassador of Vietnam Pham Anh Tuan and Ambassador-designate of Indonesia Chandra W Sukotjo also attended the event.
One of the highlights of the day was the participation of the Rising Star Hockey Team, whose members eagerly took to the waters for kayaking. Demonstrating their commitment to community service, the team also carried out a cleaning campaign, collecting rubbish thrown into Rawal Lake and along its banks. Their efforts not only contributed to environmental preservation but also symbolised the spirit of civic responsibility and teamwork.
The High Commissioner of Brunei commended the Rising Star team and all participants for their enthusiastic involvement, noting that the event served as a bridge between cultures while promoting environmental awareness. “Sports and community action are powerful tools for building understanding and friendship,” he remarked.
A group photo session, held with the ASEAN flag prominently displayed, captured the camaraderie and unity of the day. The gathering included ASEAN Ambassadors, further underlining the regional solidarity and collaborative spirit that ASEAN represents.
The kayaking and clean-up initiative reflected ASEAN’s broader mission of fostering closer ties not only between member countries but also with their host communities. As paddles sliced through the calm waters of Rawal Lake, the event stood as a reminder that shared activities — whether on the field, in the water, or in environmental stewardship — can bring people together in meaningful ways.
The Brunei High Commissioner Kamal Amed also thanked Adil Shah who facilitated the activity by providing the venue and other necessary logistic support.
The Rising Stars Club management — led by Asif Bhatti, Mehmood Ahmed, and Sohail Janjua — expressed heartfelt gratitude to the High Commissioner of Brunei for giving them the chance to experience kayaking first-hand. For many of the hockey players, it was their very first encounter with the sport, and they embraced it with great enthusiasm, relishing every moment on the water.
