International Dragon Boat Races introduce mixed-gender teams

As the annual SJM Macao International Dragon Boat Races approach, Luís Gomes, president of the Sports Bureau (ID), has announced new initiatives for this year, including mixed-gender teams, to further enhance the success of the event.

“We also aim to collaborate with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Nam Van Lake area to enhance the dragon boat event this year. We hope this will stimulate the local community economy and showcase our unique activities to a wider audience, as there are many aspects to explore. We appreciate all the participating businesses, including main event organizers and SMEs in local communities, for their partnership in making this event a success,” said the president.

This year’s dragon boat race will be held this Saturday and Sunday, as well as on May 31, the Dragon Boat Festival, at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre. The race will feature open, tertiary education institutions, women’s, and mixed categories, with the mixed category requiring teams to include at least eight female members.

The bureau estimates that total attendance for the races will be similar to last year, with over 2,000 seats occupied each day. This year’s races will feature 15 teams from outside Macau, alongside local teams from universities, public entities, community groups, businesses, sports associations, and schools.

Gomes made the remarks yesterday on the sidelines of a traditional blessing ceremony to pray for the success of the annual event.

He expressed hope that this event would promote Macau’s development as a cultural city and its role as “one base.”