Four-day dragon boat race attracts over 60 teams

Putrajaya will be hosting the spectacular four-day Dragon Boat Festival in Malaysia from Oct 20-23. Over 60 teams comprising of 1,500 participants from 14 countries are expected to take part in the event. It will further strengthen Malaysia’s appeal as a sporting destination in the region and the world over.

For the first time, the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) is hosting its inaugural Cancer Survivors World Cup 2011 in Malaysia in conjunction with Malaysia International Dragon Boat Festival 2011 which will be held at the Water Sports Complex for the third year running. This time, the event will reach out to larger audiences with its appointed ambassador Hannah Tan who will promote the spirit of dragon boat racing as well as the inaugural Cancer Survivors World Cup 2011.

All set: (From left) Datuk Chin Keat Seng, Golden Horses Health Sanctuary general manager Tan Siew Mei, Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPJ) president Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, PPJ city services department director Datuk Abdul Ghani Ahmad, organising chairman Datuk Herman Chin and Hannah Tan are all geared up for the event.

With participants from Canada, Australia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and other countries, the competition will test skills, teamwork and the spirit of unity on water. This internationally recognised global water sports racing event is a visually spectacular international event which resonates with the spirit of 1Malaysia; an event that is all about unity, teamwork and friendships between communities.

In line with the government’s call to promote unity and integration, MIDBF 2011 will also educate the public on the rich and colourful Asian history, culture and heritage to this sport where today the race has grown into a global sport internationally. The event is organised by W.P. Putrajaya Dragon Boat Association (WPPDBA) in collaboration with Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPJ), Ministry of Youth & Sports, Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Federal Territory & Urban Wellbeing, Ministry of Agriculture & Agro-Based Industry Malaysia, Malaysia Dragon Boat Association (MDBA) and in affiliation with the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF).

The organisers have received tremendous support and response from the government, international participants, corporate players, investors, spectators, tourists and dragon boat associations and federations from all over the world. The Dragon Boat Race and Festival has always been a very popular event held around the world with international participations with recognition from the world over, resulting in having attracted attention from tourists and spectators, and wide media coverage.

With participation from international teams, the high-level of publicity generated from last year’s event guarantees this year’s event to be bigger. The event complements values of unity and team spirit spanning across nations in the region coming together to compete in this sporting event — a One Global Village of international sports athletes in Malaysia on one platform.

It aims to place Putrajaya on the world sporting map as the home for Dragon Boat racing internationally. Putrajaya is now viewed not only as Malaysia’s administrative capital but as a centre with a capacity large enough to host such a significantly leading international event, showcasing the beautifully landscaped city as an ideal tourist centre. The dragon boat race one of the sports included in the Asian Games.

The race is divided into to two main categories — International teams and Malaysian teams. Each category then has its sub-categories, Open, Mixed, Women and Junior (below 23 years old). Other categories (for Malaysian Teams only) include Club, Corporate and Inter Government Department participation.

The event is also supported by MyCeb,Sport Council Malaysia, Melaka Dragon Boat Association, WP Kuala Lumpur Dragon Boat Association and Selangor Dragon Boat Association. Gold Sponsors include Golden Horses Health Sanctuary and Redbull. Other sponsors include Spritzer and Lee Kum Kee.

-thestar online.