Organized by the Sports Bureau and the Dragon Boat Association of Macao, China, and co-organized by the Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, the Macao International Dragon Boat Races 2020 staged both the Open Category and Women’s Category of the Standard Dragon Boat Race today (25^th June), the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, at Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre. After several rounds of intense races, SJM Golden Jubilee and Association of Macao Youth Development won the Open Category and the Women’s Category, respectively. Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng enjoyed the races on-site and hosted the eye-dotting ceremony and award presentation ceremony, celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival with the public.

On the Dragon Boat Festival day, the Macao International Dragon Boat Races 2020 featured a tight schedule packed with fierce races between a total of 30 teams in the Open Category. After several rounds of races, six teams from the Open Category entered the Grand Final, including Suncity Group Ltd., SJM Golden Jubilee, MGM, Melco, Wynn and Clube de Canoagem Baía do Mar. Of the teams, the anticipated-champion-to-be, SJM Golden Jubilee, came in first with a time of 2:02.037; Suncity Group Ltd. and Wynn came in second and third, respectively, followed by Melco, Clube de Canoagem Baía do Mar and MGM.

The 7^th to 12^th places went to Meg-Star Group, University of Macau, Tang Tat Hong, Sands China, Macau Ka I Sports Association and Macao Polytechnic Institute, respectively; while the 13^th to 18^th places went to Municipal Affairs Bureau, Macau Street Workout Association, Bicicleta Tung Veng, Dragão em Liberdade de Macau, Shunde Xingtan Natives Association of Macau and Ngou Cheong – Sky, respectively.

In the Women’s Category, Association of Macao Youth Development remained invincible and secured their second championship this year in the Standard Dragon Boat Race, after winning their first in the Small Dragon Boat Race. The champions reached the finish line with a time of 2:21.409 just ahead of MGM and SJM – Lotus, which came second and third, respectively. The 4^th to 6^th places went to Sands China, Wynn and Galaxy Pearl. The Best Drummer and Best Steersman awards went to Ilídia Sofia Noronha from Macau Red Cross and Ng Chi Ian from Association of Macao Youth Development, respectively.

Officiating guests at the award presentation ceremony included Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng; Fu Ziying, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Shen Beili, Commissioner from the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture; Chan Chak Mo, Member of the Executive Council; Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau; José Tavares, Chairman of the Administration Committee on Municipal Affairs of the Municipal Affairs Bureau; Kou Peng Kuan, Director of the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau; and Lai Pak Leng, President of the Dragon Boat Association of Macao, China.

The Macao International Dragon Boat Races 2020 has now concluded successfully. To share the festive joy with the public, in addition to offering exciting races, this year’s event has continued to present performances and booths for creative products and local cuisines. With the dragon boat races, visitors have gained an authentic experience of Macao's dragon boat festival celebrations. The event will establish itself as a unique brand of sports tourism in Macao and facilitate the diverse development of the city’s sports sector.