Dragon boat race returns July
Published on: Saturday, April 16, 2022
(Seated from left) Yin, Fung, Susan, Balwant, Zachary, Shim, Omar and others at the technical meeting.
Kota Kinabalu: The 7th FCAS International Dragon Boat Race returns this year with RM81,500 worth of cash prizes to be won.Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) deputy president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen said the race would be held at Likas Bay on July 2 and 3.
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“Preparations for the dragon boat race is currently in full swing to revive the exciting event that was suspended for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have extended invitations to dragon boat teams in Philippines, Singapore and Brunei to compete in the event as well as Sarawak, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. For local teams, we have invited teams from Sandakan, Tawau, Tuaran and Kota Kinabalu.
“Local teams are eager to join the race as well, with many of them enquiring how soon they are able to start training,” she said after chairing a technical meeting here on Thursday.
Susan, who is the organising chairperson of the race, said there are nine categories to compete in, namely C1: Sabah Head of State Trophy (800m) – international and top Malaysian men’s teams; C2: Sabah Chief Minister Trophy (800m) – Malaysian men’s teams; C3: Sabah FCAS Dragon Trophy (800m and minimum of eight women) – international and Malaysian mix teams; C4: Local FCAS Trophy (800m) – FCAS member mix teams only; C5: FCAS Trophy (800m) – Malaysian Chinese mix teams only; C6: FCAS Trophy (800m) – Malaysian Chinese men’s teams only; C7: Kinabalu Dragon Trophy (800m) – local junior teams between 15-20 years old; C8: Men Team Open 200-metre race – international and Malaysian men’s teams (12 crews); and C9: Mix Team Open 200-metre race – international and Malaysian mix teams (12 crews) minimum 4 women.
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The first placed team in the coveted Sabah Head of State Trophy will receive a whopping RM10,000 cash prize, while the winning team of the Sabah Chief Minister Trophy and Sabah FCAS Dragon Trophy will go home with RM8,000. The remaining categories offer RM3,000 for the top spot.
Susan said the team managers will convene for a meeting at Sutera Harbour Marina theatre room on July 1, followed by a beach party overlooking the beautiful sunset at Likas Bay at 5pm.
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The race begins with the preliminary rounds on July 2 after an oath taking ceremony by the sportsmen. The heat races will conclude by noon, making way for FCAS’ inaugural seven-kilometre sunset run at 3.30pm. Each participant of the run will receive a t-shirt and finisher medal.
“We expect 500 participants for the 7Km sunset run. The highlight of the competition – the final races for the nine categories – will take place the next day on July 3.
“The Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin is invited to grace the opening ceremony and thereafter give away the prizes. In keeping with the traditional customs of the Dragon Boat Festival, there will be a zongzi, or glutinous rice dumplings offering ceremony, as well as zongzi cooking competition to liven up the atmosphere,” she said.
Meanwhile, Susan said training will be available at Sutera Harbour Marina and Kampung Gayangin Tuaran beginning May. The teams are required to contact the organising committee to schedule their training sessions.
Susan said a total of 89 teams took part in the last dragon boat race in 2019.
She urged registered Malaysian associations, private corporations, members of the public and even foreigners to participate in the dragon boat race this year.
Registration is now open till June 15. For further enquires contact the organising secretariat at +6088-253433 or +60178596674 (Teddy). Also present at the technical meeting were race director Datuk Balwant Singh Kler, assistant race director Zachary Mobijohn, deputy organising chairman Kapitan Fung Chun Fatt, person-in-charge of dragon boats, Godfrey Yin, person-in-charge of sea race lane set up, Shim Yun Shing and person-in-charge of boat towing, Omar Baki Aliakbar.
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