Paddlers competing in one of the dragon boat categories. — Photos from The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah’s Facebook page
Continued success of international race shows its appeal to both domestic and global competitors.
PADDLERS from local and international teams converged on the Sabah capital of Kota Kinabalu for the 9th Sabah International Dragon Boat Race, which attracted a crowd of almost 10,000 people last month.
Organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations (FCAS), the three-day event began on June 7 at Kota Kinabalu’s iconic Likas Bay, drawing participation from 145 teams competing in 11 categories with a total prize pool of RM94,000.
In addition to paddlers from Sabah, the event welcomed participants from Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, and across Malaysia.
Sabah head of state Tun Juhar Mahiruddin launched the event by lighting a flame on a special podium to symbolise the opening of the final day race.
He was accompanied by other VIPs, including Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, representing the Chief Minister, FCAS president Tan Sri TC Goh, FCAS deputy president and the event organising chairman Datuk Susan Wong, and Chinese Consul-General in Kota Kinabalu Dr Huang Shifang.
Goh (second from right) mingling with the crowd during the event.
The event pulled in scores of revellers, including foreign tourists, who cheered on the dragon boat teams as they competed.
It is one of the events supported by the Sabah government to boost the economy and encourage tourism in the wake of Covid-19.
The dragon boat race is an annual fixture but only returned in 2022 following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic’s health restrictions.
Goh said the continued success of the Sabah International Dragon Boat Race shows its appeal to both domestic and global competitors.
“It also highlights Sabah’s success in promoting cultural, sports, and tourism activities,” he said.
Wong said the event also promotes cultural exchanges and contributes to local economic development.
This year’s dragon boat race was listed as one of the key activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.
Attendees at the event making rice dumplings.
Among the top categories was the Sabah Head of State Trophy, retained by the Royal Malaysia Police Paddlers, who took the title the previous year.
The RMP Paddlers, consisting of personnel from across the country, outpaced seven other teams in the 800m race to take home the main title for the second consecutive time.
Team manager Kenn Mohd Adzihni expressed pride in their achievement despite not repeating their victories in two other categories from the previous outing.
“We won three titles last year but only one this year. But we are still grateful,” he said after the prize presentation ceremony.
There were 10 other finals held on the last day, with teams from the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) bagging four titles.
Other winners included Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), which took home the Kinabalu Dragon Trophy (International and Malaysian, minimum four women), and Penang Chinese Town Hall for the FCAS Trophy (Malaysian Chinese Mix Team). Additionally, 1 SPTB Brunei Darussalam won the Kinabalu Dragon Trophy (International and Malaysian Men Team), while Warisan KDKL DBT A of Sarawak notched the Sabah Chief Minister Trophy (Malaysian Men’s Team).
