Date: 24 May 2016 Total pages: 5 THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT CARNIVAL RELOCATES TO CENTRAL WITH THE BIGGEST BASH YET This year, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival returns on June 10 to 12 at a new venue the Central Harbourfront. Organised by the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association (HKCDBA), with support from co-organiser the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and sponsored by the Mega Events Fund (MEF), the ever-evolving Carnival will see better and more eventful festivities than ever. Celebrating its 40 th anniversary, the iconic Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will feature some exciting new categories for paddlers from around the globe to compete in. In addition to enjoying the adrenaline-pumping races, the audience can try their hands at the CCB (Asia) Row for Charity race for a great cause, benefiting the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK). The well-loved San Miguel BeerFest will be back to keep guests entertained and hydrated, while the debut of the Family Zone guarantees a great weekend out for young and old alike. Sir Wayne Leung, HKTB Board Member and Chairman of the Product and Event Committee, said: In addition to moving to a brand-new venue, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival will be further enhanced by special races to commemorate the 40 th anniversary of the first Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races. There will also be an improved entertainment line-up, including a new fun-filled Family Zone, to make sure it is a carnival for all ages. On behalf of the HKTB, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors and supporting organisations for their continued support over the years. The China Construction Bank (Asia) (CCB (Asia)) and San Miguel Brewery Hong Kong Limited (San Miguel), in particular, deserve special credit for their unparalleled effort to improve the Carnival year after year with a wide range of exciting enhancements. Dr Raymond Ma, Chairman of the HKCDBA, said: The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races are the oldest event in the history of modern dragon boat racing, attracting a flock of world-class teams to the city every year. This year, around 4,000 athletes from 14 countries and regions will compete for a total of 24 championships. The first-ever Hong Kong Trophy race will see top teams from all over the globe, including the teams which put on an extraordinary performance at the recent IDBF Club Crew World Championships in Australia, fighting for glory at the world-famous Victoria Harbour. CCB (Asia) is again the title sponsor of the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, which is recognised as an M Mark Event by the Major Sports Events Committee. Mr Jiang Xianzhou, Executive Director & Alternate Chief Executive of CCB (Asia), said: This year marks CCB (Asia) s fourth year as the title sponsor of the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races. In addition to sending our dragon boat team to 1
participate in the exciting races, we will continue to organise the Row for Charity race, a fund-raising activity for the ADAHK. CCB (Asia) highly encourages the general public to support and participate in this activity, making the Dragon Boat Carnival even more meaningful. In addition, as in the past two years, we appointed various artists from ADAHK to craft a new design for the CCB (Asia) Dragon Boat Display and Drums Parade, which will debut at Central Harbourfront during the Carnival and later be showcased at the CCB Centre. We wish to raise more public attention and admiration for the talent of artists with disabilities. This year, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival is supported by the MEF again. Ms Emily Mo, Secretary of MEF Assessment Committee cum Assistant Commissioner for Tourism, said: We welcome the staging of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival in the Victoria Harbour again. With the support of the MEF, this event will be staged at the Central Harbourfront for the first time with new elements such as the Hong Kong Trophy and Family Zone in addition to the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races and the BeerFest. We hope this mega event will continue to attract the participation of visitors and local residents, further raise the international profile of Hong Kong and reinforce our position as the events capital of Asia. The seven programme highlights of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival include: Battles on the sea: The CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will take place on a course that starts at the Central Harbourfront, where paddlers will show off their strength, skill, speed and teamwork to an equally international group of spectators. Fancy Dress Race: Participants will wow the audience with their unique outfits at the Fancy Dress Race held on 12 June and add to the festive atmosphere of the dragon boat races. Trendy check-in hotspots: The CCB (Asia) has commissioned the ADAHK to craft a new design for the CCB (Asia) Dragon Boat Display and Drums Parade. Featuring an 11-metre-long dragon boat and drums, the Parade will be a selfie hotspot not to be missed. Together with the San Miguel Beer Bottle Dragon Boat Photo Zone and San Miguel Mini Cart Game at the San Miguel BeerFest, there will be great fun for all. Music party: Local and international singers and DJs will grace the stage at the San Miguel BeerFest. Brand new Family Zone: An array of interactive games and activities such as giant inflatable and mini rowing facilities are available for free. Roving performances: Acrobatic clowns, marching bands, drummers and samba dancers will take turns to push the party vibe. Row for Charity: Visitors and local residents can support the ADAHK by joining the CCB (Asia) Row for Charity race. 2
About the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival: Date 10-12 June 2016 (Friday to Sunday) CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races: 10 June (Friday) 12pm to 5:30pm 11 June (Saturday) 8:30am to 5:30pm 12 June (Sunday) 8:30am to 5:30pm Programme Highlights & Schedule Venue Admission Details San Miguel BeerFest: 10-11 June (Friday and Saturday) 11am to 10:30pm 12 June (Sunday) 11am to 9:30pm Family Zone: 10 June (Friday) 11am to 5:30pm 11 June (Saturday) 11am to 5:30pm 12 June (Sunday) 11am to 5:30pm Central Harbourfront (The course runs from Central Pier No. 10 to near Citic Tower) Free http://www.discoverhongkong.com/dragonboat Photo Caption 1 Officiating at the ceremony are (from left) Ms Emily Mo, Secretary for the MEF Assessment Committee cum Assistant Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Jiang Xianzhou, Executive Director & Alternate Chief Executive of CCB (Asia), Sir Wayne Leung, Board Member and Chairman of Product and Event Committee of the HKTB, Dr Raymond Ma, Chairman of the HKCDBA, and Mr Simon Chan, Group Brand Manager of San Miguel. 3
Photo Caption 2 Sir Wayne Leung, Board Member and Chairman of Product and Event Committee of the HKTB (sixth right) with Dr Raymond Ma, Chairman of the HKCDBA (fifth right), Ms Emily Mo, Secretary for the MEF Assessment Committee cum Assistant Commissioner for Tourism (fifth left), Mr Jiang Xianzhou, Executive Director & Alternate Chief Executive of CCB (Asia) (sixth left), Mr Simon Chan, Group Manager of San Miguel (fourth right), Mr Anthony Lau, Executive Director of the HKTB (fourth left), and representatives from other sponsoring and supporting organisations. Photo Captions 3&4 The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival will be relocated to the Central Harbourfront, offering a better view than ever of the world-class paddlers on the Victoria Harbour course. 4
Photo Caption 5 The CCB (Asia) has commissioned the ADAHK to craft a new design for an 11-metre-long dragon boat and a series of dragon boat athlete figures. All art pieces will make their debut at Central Harbourfront during the Carnival. Ends Media can download the press release and other materials from the HKTB website: FTP (valid until 21 September 2016): ftp://hkdbc2016-b:445566@ftpsvr01.hktb.com Press release: http://partnernet.hktb.com/en/about_hktb/news/press_releases/index.html Photos (online registration required): http://partnernet.hktb.com/mediaplib/en/index.html For media enquiries, please contact: Hong Kong Media Miss Carina Lee Tel: 2807 6221 Fax: 2503 6253 E-mail: carina.lee@hktb.com Mainland and Overseas Media Miss Amy Lam Tel: 2807 6373 Fax: 2503 6113 E-mail: amy.lam@hktb.com During non-office hours, please contact: Hong Kong media: 8200 7860; Mainland and overseas media: 8100 8935. 5