Now Shenzhen | June 26, 2023
THE Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races made a thrilling return to Victoria Harbour on Saturday, as approximately 4,000 athletes from over 160 teams competed in 17 events during the two-day tournament.
Hong Kong, having hosted the modern dragon boat race for the first time in 1976 to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, is renowned for its dragon boat culture, and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races have become a flagship tournament.
Arnold Chung Chi Lok, secretary-general of the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, expressed his delight at the return of the race after four years. “From the beginning of preparations back in January to today’s kickoff, it’s clear that the preparatory work was far from easy. China has a rich history with dragon boating, and we are committed to promoting the culture by inviting more foreign athletes to Hong Kong to learn the Chinese tradition,” Chung said. “We are also confident in our bid for the 2027 World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.”
One of the five major events in the tournament, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Championship, attracted 11 elite teams from 11 cities in the Greater Bay Area. According to Wei Wei, deputy secretary-general of the Guangdong Dragon Boat Association, the association selected nine teams to participate in the event.
Newcomer Poland dispatched a 50-player squad to Hong Kong. Team member Dominik Dura explained that dragon boat racing emerged in Poland around 20 years ago, attracting many individuals looking for a leisure activity.
“We have about 20 clubs from various cities in Poland. Many of my teammates are retired professionals from aquatic sports,” Dura said. (Xinhua)
ARTICLE FROM: Shenzhen Daily