OVER 1,600 participants from Hong Kong, China, Britain, the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, and Malaysia are all geared up for the Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta 2024.
A briefing was conducted today for the participants at the Straits Quay Retail Marina, ahead of the two-day event on Nov 22 and 23 at the Straits Quay Marina from 8am to 5pm. A total of 61 teams will be participating.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, Penang International Dragon Boat Festival vice-chairman Lim Tay Hean and The One Academy head of business development Khoo Boo Keat were present at the briefing.
Wong warmly welcomed all participants, saying “We hope you enjoy the vibrant culture and scenic beauty, of our state. Wishing you all great success in the competition and an unforgettable experience here in Penang,” Wong said.
He added that a state delegation had visited Hong Kong in June to learn and observe its dragon boat festival traditions.
This year, the event has been relocated from its traditional venue at the Teluk Bahang Dam, where it has been since the 1990s, to the Straits Quay Marina.
The event, which originally took place at Gurney Drive, was later moved to Teluk Bahang Dam.
The Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta 2024 will feature four prestigious challenge trophies.
They are the TYT Challenge Trophy (Malaysia Premier Open) (400m); Malaysia-China Friendship Challenge Trophy (International Premier Open) (400m); Hong Kong Challenge Trophy (International Premier Mixed) (400m); and Hong Kong Junior Challenge Trophy (International Junior U24 Open) (400m).
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix courtesy of YB Wong’s office