SPORTS | Int’l Dragon Boat races offer higher prize money

The prize money granted to winners of the International Dragon Boat Races will be increased significantly this year from USD15,000 to a total of USD36,000, the vice-president of the Macau Sports Development Board (ID), Allen Lau, said yesterday at a press conference.
By increasing the amount of prize money, the Macau government hopes to attract more international teams to the competition, which will be held on June 13, 14 and 20.
Macau’s small dragon boat races will be held on June 13 and 14, for the open and women’s categories. The Macau International Invitation Standard Dragon Boat Race (open and women’s categories), as well as the Macau University Student Invitation Standard Dragon Boat Race, will be held on June 20.
Mr Lau stressed that by increasing the amount of prize money for international races, ID hopes to capture the attention of more renowned international teams, thus “encouraging athletes to achieve greater success.” The top three teams of the international races will be awarded USD10,000 (first prize), USD5,000 (second) and USD3,000 (third) respectively. Last year, prize money was set at USD,3000, USD2,000 and USD1,000 respectively.
The registration period opens tomorrow. Interested participants can register at the Dragon Boat Association of Macau in person or online on the association’s website.
The races are organized by ID in cooperation with the Dragon Boat Association of Macau, China. The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) is co-organizing the event with the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau.
Mr Lau said that local dragon races “will add cultural and touristic features” to the event. In addition to the races, there will be food stalls around the Nautical Center of Praia Grande, as well as dragon boat exhibitions and other entertainment.