KUCHING: The eye-dotting of the dragon performed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday marked the start of this year’s Sarawak International Dragon Boat Race.
This Chinese traditional ceremony to cleanse and bless the paddlers and their boat symbolises the awakening of the dragons.
The annual Sarawak International Dragon Boat Race held at Kuching Waterfront will witness 26 teams from 11 countries battle in this year’s Sarawak International Dragon Boat Race.
The race to coincide with Kuching Waterfront Festival is to be held from Nov 11 to 13 while the iconic Sarawak Regatta, which is better known to foreign participants, is to be held from Nov 18-20 with the theme ‘Race for Harmony’.
Countries competing in the dragon boat race are Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, United Kingdom and Malaysia.
The flag-off of the 3-day regatta is at the Square Tower on Nov 11 with the finish line at the city’s Chinese History Museum.
Malaysia will also send teams from Sarawak, Sabah and Penang for the race which is divided into two main categories — local and international.
Under the international category are four sections — men’s open (crew of 12), men’s open (crew of 20), mixed open (crew of 12) and mixed open (crew of 20).
The local category is solely the Men’s Open (crew of 20).
About 800 people are expected to be involved in the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Race as participants, out of whom 628 are foreigners.
The Sarawak International Dragon Boat race will be conducted under the International Dragon Boat Federation’s (IDBF) competition regulations and rules of racing.
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