Ideal venue for racing dragons

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Foreign participants in the 1Malaysia International Dragon Boat Festival 2010 (1MIDBF 2010) were simply awed by the facilities available for the sport at the Putrajaya Water Sports Complex .

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin made this observation during the launching ceremony held on the second day of the event.

“We have created a hub in the region by promoting Dragon Boat Racing.

Here we go: The Pink Ladies warming up for their race.

“The 650ha lake has truly proven itself to be a world-class venue ideal to host international events such as the IMIDBF,’’ he said to deafening applause.

Nong Chik said the organisers, Mega Events Sdn Bhd had taken the event to a whole new level this year by reaching out to larger audiences, fostering multicultural integration in this world-class event.

A total of 1,650 participants from more than 60 teams coming from Canada, Australia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and other neighbouring countries congregated in Putrajaya from June 18-20 to test their skills, teamwork and the spirit of unity on water.

Although this is the second time the country is playing host to the Dragon Boat event, this year is the first 1Malaysia event in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of 1Malaysia in a global sporting event in Putrajaya.

“1Malaysia is the right formula not only for national harmony but also regionally and globally in the field of sporting events such as this.

“The event has placed Putrajaya on the world sporting map as the home for dragon boat racing internationally,’’ said Nong Chik.

Iconic: A dragon head watches as teams prepare for the race.

This time around, the event reached out to a worthy cause with the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) by championing the “1Malaysia 1 Community - We Care” charity drive organised by 1MIDBF with celebrities including ambassador Sarimah Ibrahim, celebrity chef Anis Nabillah and Miss Tourism International 2010, Cassandra Patrick.

A total of RM80,000 was presented to BCWA patron, Puan Sri Akmal Abdul Salam.

The 1MIDBF was divided into two main categories — International teams and Malaysian teams with each category further divided into sub-categories — Open, Mixed, Women and Junior (below 23 years) for the international events and club, corporate and inter-governmental department participation for the Malaysian event.

All the way: It takes a lot of effort, muscles and team work to paddle the boat in the race.