KOTA KINABALU: The world’s one of a kind Lion Dance League Championship is more than a platform to promote the Chinese culture in Sabah, said Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) Sabah State Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Gordon Leong.
“We (Gerakan) believe that this is also to build a platform for the youth, for the people here to learn and practice more so they can uplift the standard of the lion dance and look forward to a world standard achievement,” said Leong in his speech read by Gerakan State Liaison Treasurer and Counsellor (Putatan) Kong Yu Kiong at the Sabah Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Association’s Third Lion Dance League (First Stop) pre-launch and teams draw lot ceremony at Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) compound yesterday.
“This kind of competition or league is the only kind you can find in Sabah. It cannot even be found in the whole of Asia and even the whole world,” said Kong.
According to Sabah Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Association president Dr Danny Kok, the Chinese people’s representatives and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman have also shown great support for the art form.
“We are the only state that have the honour and priority of getting this lion and unicorn head since 2010, once again I need to thank Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman for supporting this lion activities non-stop. We are the only state that have this kind of priority,” said Kok.
“It’s an honour and pride for Sabahans, only in Sabah you can see the multiracial culture getting this kind of grant through the state government,” he added.
Fourteen teams will take centre stage at the Third Sabah Lion Dance League Championship (First Stop) at the Manggatal Community Hall on June 11.
First up, through a blind and random draw of teams by Kong during the ceremony yesterday, will be Kelab Tarian Singa San Shen Gung – A.
The team will be followed by Persatuan Seni Tarian Singa and Naga Penampang, Lee Kiong Dragon and Lion Dance Association – B, Persatuan Kebudayaan Kesenian and Kesukaan Tawau – C, Sandakan Man Woo Athletic Association – B, Sandakan Man Woo Athletic Association – A, Pertubuhan Kebudayaan Kesenian dan Kesukaan Tawau – B, Persatuan Bhuddist Tawau, Che Yee Khor Moral Uplifting Society Lahad Datu – A, Che Yee Khor Moral Uplifting Society Lahad Datu – B, Persatuan Seni dan Budaya Guang Yi Sabah, Persatuan Warga Muda Penampang Sabah, Lee Kiong Dragon and Lion Dance Association – A, and Kelab Tarian Singa San Shen Gung – C.