Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
KUCHING: Thirty teams from 12 countries will participate in this year’s International Dragon Boat Race held in conjunction with the annual Kuching Waterfront Festival and Sarawak Regatta from Oct 26 to Nov 4.
Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the two-week festival would feature the International Dragon Boat Race from Oct 26 to 28, followed by the Sarawak Regatta from Nov 2 to 4.
“There are 30 teams from 12 countries, including from Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Brunei and Thailand this year compared to only 10 participating countries last year,” he said at a media conference in conjunction with the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival 2018.
At the event, he received a mock cheque amounting to RM1 million from various sponsors for this year’s Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival.
Abdul Karim said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to launch the Sarawak Regatta on Oct 27 while Sarawak Governor, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud will officiate the closing ceremony on Nov 4.
“Throughout the festival there will be water sports events, food festival, craft festival and stage entertainment,” he said and added that there would be a musical fountain show in the evening.
“We are expecting a huge crowd to the Sarawak Regatta this year and visitors are expected from all over the world not only participate in the International Dragon Boat Race but to also promote handicraft products from their own countries,” he added. – Bernama