KUCHING: For the first-time ever, Dragon Warriors from Singapore and Black Dragon from Putrajaya—paddlers with diabilities—will be participating in the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated that Dragon Warriors consists of six visually impaired paddlers, while Black Dragon comprises three paddlers with physical disabilities.
“This further shows that we open the competition to everyone, and we don’t put aside people with special needs.
“Rather, we encourage them to participate in the competition just like other participants.”
He added that Qatar, Spain and Malaysia (Sarawak and Putrajaya) will send paddlers who are cancer survivors to join the race.
“A total of RM100,000 in prizes, including trophies and cash will be awarded,” he said at a press conference for the upcoming race here, on Tuesday (Oct 3).
Abdul Karim stated that the organisers received overwhelming entries from various countries.
“We received too many entries to the point that we, sadly, have to close the entries from other countries.
“This is because there are 60 teams from 20 countries who have confirmed their participation and the rest, we have to sadly reject their entries because the competition is only held for three days, which means time is truly limited.
“We hope that next year we can hold this competition way longer than just three days, because we want to give a chance to other countries as well.”
There are seven categories to be competed – International Premier Open 22 crew, International Premier Open 12 crew, International Premier Mix 22 crew (10 male paddlers, and 10 female paddlers), International Premier Women 12 crew (five female paddlers and five female paddlers), International Premier Mixed 12 crew, International Premier Masters Mixed 40 and above (from 1983 and before) and International Cancer Survivor Race 12 crew.
“The eye-dotting and the opening ceremony will be held on Oct 28 (Saturday) at 10am and will be officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“For the Sarawak Regatta Boat Race, the culminating event of the Sarawak Regatta to win the Raja Sungai trophy will take place on Nov 5 (Sunday) and will be witnessed by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib.”
Abdul Karim said the Raja Sungai winner will take home a trophy and cash amounting to RM30,000.
The Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta will be held from Oct 27 to 29, while the second week will feature the Sarawak Regatta Boat Race, slated to be held the following week (Nov 3 to 5).
Other activities that will be held during the Sarawak Regatta (Oct 27 to Nov 5) are the Sarawak Kitchen Festival and Borneo Textile Craft Sale, cultural performances, Sarawak Malay Drum Competition and others.
Present during the press conference were Deputy Ministers Datuk Sebastian Ting and Datuk Snowdan Lawan and other distinguished guests.
