from Borneo Bulletin dtd 07/05/07

Winning start for defending champions Black Arrows
By James Kon

Defending champions of the Brunei National Softball Tournament, Black Arrows, got off to a flying start when they defeated Warriors 9-0 in their opening match at the Jerudong Park field yesterday morning.

The first runners-up in last year's tournament, Knights, also kicked off their campaign with a 5-0 win against R&R.

In another Group B match, PLK Zombies trashed Steelers 12-1. While Gunners recorded the highest win of the day when they crushed Crankies Legend 13-0 in their Group A encounter.

Meanwhile, Banzai boosted their chances of qualifying for the second round after easily disposing of Sluggers 12-0 in the last game of the day.

Prior to the start of the Banzai and Sluggers match, the opening ceremony was officiated by Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Awang Hazair Bin Hj Abdullah, Deputy Minister of Health.
Also present were Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Pahlawan Mej Gen (R) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Mohd Jaafar Bin Hj Abd Aziz, the President of Brunei Amateur Softball Association, Abdullah Bin Hj Jair, the Organising Chairman, as well as other government officials.

A total of 23 male and female softball teams are participating in the tournament which is sponsored by BSM (diamond sponsor), NBT (B) Sdn Bhd (gold sponsor), Digital Impressions (silver sponsor) and DST (bronze sponsor).

The tournament is aimed at promoting softball, particularly among youths, unearthing new talents for the national softball team, and providing an avenue for interaction and building the spirit of sportsmanship.