HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival officially opened today (6 June) amidst the clamour of drums and cheerson the harbour front in Tsim Sha Tsui East.
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HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival officially opened today (6 June) amidst the clamour of drums and cheerson the harbour front in Tsim Sha Tsui East. Organised by the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association (HKCDBA), co-organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), and supported by the Mega Events Fund, the three-day carnival includes three key programs, the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, the CCB (Asia) Dragon Boat Display, and the San Miguel BeerFest, promising a party spanning both the harbour and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront for visitors and local residents alike.
HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said: ะฒะัThe HKTB is pleased to work hand in hand with the HKCDBA for another year to organise the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival, an important annual sporting event. Combining traditional culture, international elements and entertainment, the mega sea-and-land party greatly enhances the appeal of Hong Kong to both visitors and local residents this summer. We are grateful for the support of the Mega Events Fund, as well as the various commercial sponsors, particularly China Construction Bank (Asia), which is the sponsor of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races for the second consecutive year, and San Miguel Brewery Hong Kong Limited, which has sponsored the San Miguel BeerFest for five straight years. The success of the carnival is the result of the support and assistance of all the eventะฒะโขs working groups and supporting organisations.ะฒะั
The CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races have been recognised as an “M mark” event again by the Major Sports Events Committee. HKCDBA Chairman Dr Raymond Ma said: ะฒะัAs the birthplace of modern international dragon boat racing, Hong Kong holds an important position in dragon boat racing in the world. The HKCDBA is delighted to partner with the HKTB again to promote the culture of dragon boat racing to visitors and local residents through the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival. We would also like to thank all of our working partners and sponsors for their assistance, which has made the carnival possible.”
Chief Executive Officer of China Construction Bank (Asia) Mr Mao Yumin said: “CCB (Asia) is delighted to be the title sponsor of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races again to promote traditional Chinese festive culture and to provide a good festival activity suitable for all ages and families. This year, our bank organised the “Unique Hong Kong” Dragon Boat Design Competition for the first time to encourage students in Hong Kong to design dragon boats that represent Hong Kong most. We also invited renowned artists Liu TungMui and Apple Tong from the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong to specially design a dragon boat for CCB (Asia). The art piece and the winning designs of students will be exhibited at the Avenue of Stars during the dragon boat races period, and all the exhibits will be moved to China Construction Bank Centre in Kowloon Bay for exhibition after the event.”
This year’s CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, which include 24 championships,have attracted over 5,000 paddlers, representing about 160 dragon boat clubs from 10 countries and territories.On the last day of the carnival (Sunday 8 June), a special HK Express Fancy Dress Race will be staged, in which local and overseas dragon boat teams will paddledressed in creative costumes. In addition, to encourage young people to appreciate the sport of dragon boat racing, Chevalier Group has sponsored the Chevalier Group Youth Dragon Boat Training Programme forlocal uniformed youth groups and university student swho are taking part in the dragon boat races in the carnival.
Not far from Victoria Harbour, where the dragon boat races are taking place, is the San Miguel BeerFest, at the UC Centenary Garden. Visitors and local residents can enjoy ice-cold beer, and live performances by bands and singers from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan. Various international dragon boat teams will compete in the Second San Miguel Dry Land Dragon Boat Challenge, while members of the public can try paddling on the ground at the Dry Land Dragon Boat Trial Zone.
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival 2014 is one of the signature events in the VITALITY.LOVE@HKSAR” campaign, launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government to celebrate the 17th anniversary of the Hong Kong SAR.
- Organised by the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association (HKCDBA), co-organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), and supported by the Mega Events Fund, the three-day carnival includes three key programs, the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, the CCB (Asia) Dragon Boat Display, and the San Miguel BeerFest, promising a party spanning both the harbour and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront for visitors and local residents alike.
- We are grateful for the support of the Mega Events Fund, as well as the various commercial sponsors, particularly China Construction Bank (Asia), which is the sponsor of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races for the second consecutive year, and San Miguel Brewery Hong Kong Limited, which has sponsored the San Miguel BeerFest for five straight years.
- In addition, to encourage young people to appreciate the sport of dragon boat racing, Chevalier Group has sponsored the Chevalier Group Youth Dragon Boat Training Programme forlocal uniformed youth groups and university student swho are taking part in the dragon boat races in the carnival.