ONE hundred and eight teens and young adults raced across the Bio Innovation Corridor (BIC), formerly known as the Agro-technology Park, in Tungku to complete the challenges set during the Remarkable Green Race yesterday.
Organised by Green Brunei, the race was a first for the non-profit environmental awareness group aimed to raise awareness among the 16-40 demographic about environmental issues, creating more exposure about the BIC and to encourage them to be more active in future green programmes.
Attending the prize presentation was the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Hjh Hasnah Hj Ibrahim and representatives from the sponsors of the event.
The teams of four participants each raced throughout the park from station to station to complete green-themed challenges, one of which was the Recycle Challenge, where the organisers scattered recyclables and non-recyclables on the floor and asked the contestants to sort and deposit them into the proper disposal bins while blindfolded.
The teams were scored by the judges at each stop and given two hours to complete the course. The fastest team with the highest tally wins the race.
There were nine pit stops in total, with the first pit stop being a “hidden” stop where the organisers determine whether or not the participants arrived by carpooling.
Scoring 46 points, the winning team comprising Md Yazid Md Taib, Ak Md Afif Pg Md Omar Ali Safuddin, Kamarul Ariffin Hj Abd Ghaffar and Md Rafie Hj Zainal won themselves a two-day one-night stay at the Sumbiling Eco Village in Temburong and a one-week membership at Fitness Zone.
“We’re happy to have won the race. Despite the heat and the exhaustion, we had a lot of fun running from place to place, keeping our eyes on the prize,” said team leader, Yazid. He added that they also learnt a lot about recycling, water conservation and daily conservation tips.
The race’s Project Manager and an intern with Green Brunei from UBD, Norazizah Latip, said the race was aimed at providing a fun and healthy way to learn about the environment and its issues for the youth who might be bored with the normal approach.
Depending on demand, the organisation will be considering a second race in the future.
Source: The Brunei Times