KUCHING: After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, this year’s 8th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta is finally back and has drawn at least 16 countries.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the dragon boat race would be one of the events taking place at the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival from Oct 28 until Nov 6 here.
“The 16 participating countries are United Kingdom, Georgia, Cyprus, Italy, United States of America, Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Netherlands, Indonesia, Brunei, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak) comprising 50 teams and 1,453 participants.
“In addition, a total of seven categories will be competed,” he said at a press conference on yesterday (Sept 13).
Abdul Karim added the dragon boat race would be held from Oct 28-30 while the Sarawak Regatta race would be held from Nov 4-6.
“For the dragon boat race, the total prize money is RM52,000, including trophies. The prize presentation is at Pullman Hotel on Oct 30.
“An eye-dotting ceremony is scheduled on Oct 29 at 10am and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate.
“For the first time this year also, an International Cancer Survivors Race 12s will be held.”
Meanwhile, about 30 food stalls and 20 small and medium enterprise product stalls will be set up. In addition, there will also be the Sarawak Borneo Textile Craft Festival with 100 booths.
