Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Race to have over 100 Teams Compete in Victoria Harbour
The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association (HKCDBA), are set to commence and mark the beginning of a thrilling summer season. Taking place on June 24-25 (Saturday and Sunday), after a four-year hiatus, the event will witness the participation of more than 160 teams comprising around 4,000 dragon boat athletes. The races will captivate both local spectators and visitors as they unfold in Victoria Harbour, creating an atmosphere of excitement and entertainment along the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade.
Mr. Dane Cheng, Executive Director of HKTB, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The International Dragon Boat Races is HKTB’s first international sports event since the resumption of travel in Hong Kong. We are delighted to welcome the best dragon boat teams from around the world to join us this year. Additionally, we are pleased to invite teams from the nine cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), Macao, and Hong Kong to compete in the Greater Bay Area Championship. Through our collaboration with Macao, we are introducing the Hong Kong-Macao Trophy for the first time. These races will promote partnership and cooperation between the cities in the GBA, fostering multi-destination tourism in the area. In the future, we aim to incorporate more GBA elements into our sports events to strengthen the GBA tourism brand. To encourage global participation, cash prizes will be awarded to the winning teams in five major races.”
Mr. Arnold Chung, Secretary General of the HKCDBA, expressed his anticipation, saying, “The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Race is the world’s most historic dragon boat competition, attracting strong teams from all over the world. The races in Victoria Harbour are bound to be sensational. I would like to extend my gratitude to the various government departments and partners for their support. HKCDBA has long been dedicated to popularizing the sport of dragon boat racing and will continue to preserve the heritage and culture of the Dragon Boat Festival, sharing its festivities with both the local public and visitors.”
“The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races” holds the prestigious distinction of being an “M” Mark event designated by the Major Sports Events Committee, underscoring its status as a major international event in the sporting world. The event boasts the following three highlights:
1. 4,000 Athletes Competing in Races, First-Time Offering Cash Prizes in Five Major Races
This year, the International Dragon Boat Races will span two days and feature a total of 17 races. Over 160 teams from 10 countries and regions, including first-timer Poland, as well as teams from Australia, Dubai, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Mainland China, Macao, and Hong Kong, will compete. Notably, Australia, Thailand, and the Philippines will be sending their national teams to participate. Around 4,000 top-tier athletes will vie for the championship in Victoria Harbour. (See Appendix 1 for highlights).
To encourage active participation, HKTB will introduce cash prizes in five major races for the first time. These races include the International Championship, the International Open Grand Championship, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Championship, the Hong Kong Championship, and the Hong Kong-Macao Trophy. The champion of each race will receive a reward of US$10,000, serving as an incentive for teams to demonstrate their dedication and adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
2. 9+2 GBA Cities Actively Participate, Debut of “Hong Kong-Macao Trophy”
The Greater Bay Area Championship stands out as a prominent feature of the International Dragon Boat Races. The event will bring together 11 elite teams from Jiangmen, Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Hong Kong, and Macao, allowing them to compete and showcase their skills. The objective is to foster exchange and mutual learning among the cities in the Greater Bay Area, establishing synergy and bolstering Hong Kong’s position as a hub for international tourism events in the GBA.
This year, the Hong Kong-Macao Trophy will be jointly held by both cities for the first time. Six teams from Mainland China, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong, and Macao will participate in the Macao International Dragon Boat Races and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races on June 22 and 24, respectively. These teams will then compete for the Hong Kong-Macao Trophy in the Final on June 25. This collaboration will showcase the joint efforts of the two regions in promoting multi-destination tourism.
This year’s competition promises not only excitement but also an abundance of fun and vibrancy! Participants from local, Mainland China and overseas teams will showcase their creativity by donning fun and imaginative costumes during the Fancy Dress Competition.
3. Festival Limited Edition LINE FRIENDS Hello Hong Kong Dragon Boats Photo Spots
To engage citizens and visitors, LINE FRIENDS Hello Hong Kong Dragon Boats Photo Spots will be installed along the Avenue of Stars. These spots will offer an opportunity for the public to capture memorable selfies. For the first time, beloved LINE FRIENDS characters such as BROWN, CONY, SALLY, CHOCO, and other buddies will be featured as dragon boat athletes. From June 19 onwards, these installations, which incorporate the Dragon Boat Festival theme, will be on display for two weeks, allowing visitors to enjoy the harbour view alongside these adorable characters.
Visitors can take delightful selfies with these charming characters while relishing the ambience of the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade. Additionally, a FRIENDS Dragon Boat Themed POP-UP STORE will be available at the Avenue of Stars, offering a range of Hong Kong edition merchandise, including dragon boat-themed waterproof pouches, cooling towels, and beach towels. These items make for perfect mementoes to commemorate this special event.
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