Caption: Dr Hj Danish Zaheer, the Head of the Sport Medicine and Research Centre (SMRC) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, passed away earlier today at the age of 57. Picture: Courtesy of AKK Design
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC), today expressed his condolences on the sudden passing of the well-respected Dr Hj Danish Zaheer, the Head of the Sport Medicine and Research Centre (SMRC) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
An internationally renowned doctor who had been working in Brunei for 23 years, Dr Hj Danish passed away earlier today at the age of 57 and will be buried at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah cemetery at 10am tomorrow. The public is urged to come together and to join the prayers.
The Pakistan national who was elected the President of the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine (AFSM) in December, Dr Hj Danish started working for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1994 and has represented Brunei at numerous national, regional and international sports medicine and sports science forums.
“This is a great loss for Brunei sports, in particular for all the athletes and all sports affiliates he has given more than 20 years of dedicated service,” said HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah.
Dr Hj Danish started his service at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as a Medical Officer on August 15, 1994, and since then, has travelled extensively to treat national athletes at multi-sports events Brunei competes in – most recently at last month’s 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
Elected the President of the Sports Medicine Association of Pakistan (SMAP) in 2002, Dr Hj Danish was also the Deputy Chairman of the Sports Medicine and Anti-Doping Committee of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) Games and was a member of the Medical Committee of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and Chairman of the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Committee.
A founding member of AFSM - which is the supreme representative body of sports medicine in Asia - in 1990, Dr Hj Danish was also a member of the Southeast Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SEARADO)-TUE Committee.
With vast knowledge in anti-doping and his immense understanding and applied experience in the subject, he was regarded as an expert in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Rule.
“This is a great loss to the country and the ministry,” said the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof.
“He was a hard and committed worker and dedicated more than 20 years of his life to serve in Brunei – and we recognize, respect and appreciate that.
“He has contributed a lot to us and will always be well regarded. He will be sorely missed.”
