THE most-awaited Penang International Lion Dance on Stilts competition is set to make a comeback this year after a two-year-long hiatus.
The 11th edition of the tournament will be held from Oct 28 to 30, at the Pusat Eko Pelancongan SPU Pulau Pinang at Kampung Setui in Kepala Batas.
It will be jointly organised by the Penang government, Persatuan Sukan dan Kebudayaan Tiong Hua Kepala Batas and Persatuan Kemajuan Eko Pelancongan SPU Pulau Pinang.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said a total of 24 local and international teams would compete in the championship.
“We have teams from almost all states in the country as well as from Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
“The preliminary round of the three-day championship will kick off at 6.30pm on Oct 28 and 12.30pm on the following day.
“And the final round will be on Oct 30 from 6.30pm onwards.
“All of this will be held at the same venue which is at the Pusat Eko Pelancongan SPU Pulau Pinang,” Yeoh told a press conference at SJKC Chin Hwa in Kepala Batas today.
Also present were Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor Ooi Yong Wooi and Chief Minister’s special coordinating officer Lay Hock Peng, who is also the organising chairman of the tournament.
Lay said this would be the first time such a championship would be held in north Seberang Perai.
“This is because we want to promote the place as one of the popular eco-tourism destinations in Penang,” he said.
According to Lay, the winning team will receive RM20,000, first runners-up RM10,000 and second runners-up RM6,000.
“Not only that, for fourth place until tenth place, they will be entitled to RM2,500 each.
“And for eleventh to twenty-fourth place, they will be entitled to RM1,500 each,” he said.
Lay added that the public is invited to watch the exciting tournament. Admission is free.
“We also have food trucks selling various foods and drinks during the three-day tournament for the public’s convenience,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar