The four-day 2024 MGM Macau International Regatta, the city’s first large-scale sporting event of the year, came to an end yesterday, with the overall champions for its three categories being announced during a prize-giving dinner at MGM MACAU.
Emerging first overall in the Macao Cup International Regatta was the Canados Sailing Team from Germany, while in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Cup Regatta category, Muwu BBQ team from the mainland was named first overall. Meanwhile, in the International Catamaran Invitational, the overall first place went to Team Yacht Racing of Thailand.
Speaking with reporters at the prize-giving event, Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun noted that the event has been recognised by sailing fans from all over the world, adding that some teams have even made a special trip from Canada to compete. He added that the bureau was in the process of contacting more well-known regattas in the hope that they may be hosted in Macau.
Pun also noted that he hopes that this year’s large-scale sporting events will surpass last year’s, which had a total of 17.
Meanwhile, Lai Weng Fat, a team member from the AVM team representing Macau, told the Post that the MGM Macau International Regatta was a good way to promote sailing in the city.
Lai, whose team placed 12th overall, added that aside from having bigger boats, he thinks that Macau is capable of holding sailing events with smaller ones such as dinghies, which can also promote sailing to Macau’s youth.
Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun (third row, ninth from left) poses with President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited Kenneth Feng Xiaofeng (third row, eight from left), and Ursa Major Sailing Event Management Chairman Ma Man Wai (third row, 10th from left), other guests and the overall first place teams of the Macao Cup International Regatta and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Cup Regatta category. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
