No overseas teams will compete in the “Macao International Dragon Boat Races 2022”, which will be held at Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre from May 29 to June 3, Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun told reporters yesterday.
Pun made the remarks on the sidelines of a press conference about the event at the bureau’s headquarters in Zape.
According to Pun, if the pandemic situation remains stable, the bureau plans to invite six to eight teams from the mainland again to compete in the Macau Standard Dragon Boat Races (Open Category and Women’s Category).
He added that efforts are being made to bring well-known sports events from the mainland to Macau in the hope of increasing the status of sports tourism and the sports sector in Macau by co-organising local sports events with local businesses and organisations.
Pun said the bureau had not yet decided whether the public will be allowed to watch the “Macao International Dragon Boat Races 2022” from the grandstands. He underlined that this would depend on the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that if the pandemic situation is stable at that time, residents and visitors would be welcome to watch the races from the grandstands.
Due to the COVID-19 threat, no spectators were allowed last year.
Pun also said during the press conference that the small dragon boat races will be held on May 29, while the standard dragon boat races will be held on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival on June 3. Pun pointed out those who wish to compete in the races can register in person at the local Dragon Boat Association office or online at www.cmdragonboat.org.mo from next Monday at 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on March 26.
Pun noted that this year’s races offer limited entry slots for six categories, namely the “Macao Small Dragon Boat Race” (48 teams for the open category, 18 teams for the women’s category), the “Macao Government Departments Small Dragon Boat Race” (12 teams), the “Macao University Students Small Dragon Boat Race” (10 teams in the open category) and the “Macao Standard Dragon Boat Race” (36 teams in the open category and 10 teams for the women’s category).
Pun said all dragon-boat racers must have received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before their respective race. He added that they must show proof of a valid negative Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) result (including the first training session and race day) before they would be allowed to participate in training and the races.
Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun (centre) talk to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference for the “Macao International Dragon Boat Races 2022” at the bureau’s headquarters in Zape. Photo: Victor Lam
