Once an international-level event, this year’s Dragon Boat Races might be exclusively a local event, without even the participation of mainland teams, the Sports Bureau (ID) president, Pun Weng Kun, hinted during a press conference held yesterday to launch the event.
Remarking on the participation of non-local teams from the event, Pun said that although the participation of six mainland teams in total is expected, the final number depends on the mainland’s Covid-19 pandemic situation.
“We hope that we will be able to invite […] six teams from the mainland [this year], but this will depend on the pandemic situation,” Pun said, remarking that, at this point, it is not clear whether any of them can join the event or not.
There definitely won’t be teams invited from any other countries or regions, except mainland China, Pun confirmed when questioned on the possibility of the participation of teams from Hong Kong or Taiwan.
The event will follow the same schedule and format as the previous iteration of the competition, a format in place since 2020 due to pandemic restrictions.
The competition will be held over two days: May 29 and June 3. The first day will include races dedicated to the smaller boats, while on the second day, the standard dragon boats will take to the waters of the Nam Van Lake to paddle for victory.
Additionally, as has become a tradition, a series of activities including parades, performances and booths for the sale of creative products will be held at the Nam Van Nautical Center area.
The ID president did not make it clear whether this year’s races will allow spectators on the stands. Questioned on the topic on the sidelines of the press conference, Pun said, “We are currently evaluating the situation. It will ultimately depend on the pandemic situation [at the time].”
Full vaccination and NAT required
Similar to requirements for other sporting events, participants in the Macao International Dragon Boat Races must be fully vaccinated with two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, with the last dose to have been administered at least 14 days before the start of the practice sessions. Additionally, participants will also have to undergo a nucleic acid test valid for both the practice sessions and the race day.
Limited teams, first-come, first-served
As in previous years, team applications will be limited across the six categories including the Macao Small Boat Race (48 teams for the Open Category and 18 teams for the Women’s Category), Macao Government Departments Small Boat Race (12 teams), Macao University Students Small Boat Race (10 teams) and Macao Standard Dragon Boat Race (36 teams for the Open Category and 10 teams for the Women’s Category).
Registrations can be lodged online at www.cmdragonboat.org.mo from 11 a.m. on March 21 until 1 p.m. on March 26. Team registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and no supplementary slots will be added.
Teams must submit their team members’ information by 1 p.m. on April 30.
3×3 Basketball to return this year
Questioned by the media on the progress of other sports events being organized in Macau this year, the ID president said that the bureau has been in negotiations with interested parties so that the 3×3 basketball, launched for the first time in November last year, can also return this year.
“We want that 3×3 basketball tournament to return this year. It was very well received last year and proven to be very popular among locals and tourists. But we need some time to negotiate the details,” Pun said, adding that the bureau is keen to find sports events that allow the participation of local athletes or teams so “Macau can be represented in the event.”
Last year the 3×3 basketball tournament was initially expected to take place in early October, but was postponed to late November due to a Covid-19 outbreak.
Preparations are also ongoing for the Macau Grand Prix event, Pun added.
