Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun told reporters yesterday that over 200 dragon boat teams have signed up to compete in the 2023 SJM Macao International Dragon Boat Races, of which 17 are foreign teams from Australia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, with some teams “even participating at their own expense”.
The upcoming dragon boat races, co-hosted by the Sports Bureau in conjunction with SJM Resorts and China-Macau Dragon Boat Association, are slated to take place at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre this coming weekend and next Thursday.
A blessing ceremony and the traditional eye-dotting ritual were held there yesterday for three teams, namely SJM Golden Jubilee, Wynn, and MGM.
Pun made the remarks after yesterday’s ceremony and ritual.
This year’s Dragon Boat Festival takes place on June 22, a public holiday.
Pun said he believed that the many years of dragon boat races in Macau have been recognised by many places as one of the city’s “branding events”.
According to Pun, a cultural and creative market will, once again, be set up at the competition venue to attract spectators.
This year, Pun noted, the first-ever “Hong Kong-Macau Cup” will be held jointly with Hong Kong, adding that teams from mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and foreign countries participating in Macau’s three-day races and the international dragon boat races on June 24 and 25 in Hong Kong will compete for the championship based on the overall results of the two events.
Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun officiates at yesterday’s traditional blessing ceremony for the upcoming dragon boat races, at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre. – Photo: Yuki Lei
