KUALA LUMPUR, 5 June 2018 – The 9th edition of the annual Dragon Boat Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board is set to sail, 22 to 24 June, at the Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour.
Co-organised by the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association the carnival is famed for the thunderous beating of drums and the drama of sleek dragon boats racing in closely contested knockout races to reach the final race at the close of the three-day festivities.
More than 4,000 athletes will compete in the races this year representing teams from around the world, with strong participation from countries in Southeast Asia.
Returning for this year’s carnival races are Malaysia’s Pacific West Dragon Boat and Pink Challengers.
Pacific West Dragon Boat took top place in the races back in 2006.
“Although it has been some time since our last win, this will be a great experience for our newest team members and we hope to be able to fly the Malaysian flag once again,” said Pacific West Dragon Boat captain Lawrence Koh.
Pink Challengers is also looking forward to taking part in the upcoming race. Pink Challengers, a dragon boat team belonging to Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia, formed in early 2005, is Malaysia’s first Breast Cancer Survivors Dragon Boat team.
Team spokesperson for 2018, Margaret Gabriel, explained why the team is participating again in the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival.
“We hope that by us participating as a cancer survivors’ team, we can continue to spread the message that early detection and timely medical treatment can save lives and there is life after breast cancer,” said Gabriel.
