To celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) and the Macao Sport Development Board (the Board) have jointly organised a series of New Year sports and recreational activities in different locations from 21st to 28th February 2015 to celebrate this colourful and joyous festival with the public.
- New Year’s Fortune Bike Ride
The group gathered and set off from Dr. Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park in Macaoat 9:30am on 21st February (3rd day of Lunar New Year) for Gongbei, Zhuhai via the Border Gate checkpoint, with the final destination of Tangjia in Zhuhai. This event attracted 200 participants, some of whom enjoyed the activity with their family. Besides improving health through exercise, the ‘Fortune Bike Ride’ was also a delightful festive event for bicycle lovers.
- Lion Dance Joint Performance
The performance kicked off at Senado Squareand Tap Seac Square, respectively, on the morning and afternoon of 21st and 22nd February (3rd and 4th day of Lunar New Year). Martial arts, lion and dragon dancing performances are indispensable parts of Chinese tradition during the Lunar New Year Festival. In order to promote the traditional skills and arts of martial arts, lion and dragon dancing - and to create an exuberant and cheerful atmosphere for the Lunar New Year - an array of lion and dragon dancing performances, with the extraordinary customs of ‘cai qing’ or ‘plucking the greens’, were performed to thrill audiences. The performance attracted a large number of residents and tourists who periodically applauded, sending best wishes for the Lunar New Year Festival.
- ‘New Year 5-a-side Football Open’ and ‘New Year Male and Female 3-on-3 Basketball Open’
The New Year 5-a-side Football Open and the New Year Male and Female 3-on-3 Basketball Open, co-organised by the IACM, the Board, the Macau Football Association and the Macau-China Basketball Association, took place at the Sports Ground on Estrada do Canal dos Patos on 28th February (the 10th day of Lunar New Year). The activity attracted the participation of football and basketball lovers and the competition was both intense and exciting.
- New Year’s Recreational Activities for the Disabled
Co-organised by IACM, the Board, the Macau Deaf Association, the Macau Special Olympics, and the Macau Association of Support for the Disabled, the New Year’s Recreational Activities for the Disabled took place at the Sports Ground on Avenida do Comendador Ho Yin on 28th February (10th day of Lunar New Year). Around 280 people participated in the activity. Through the activity, the disabled community was able to experience the fun of sports, thus training their bodies and boosting their immune system. At the same time, the activity reinforced public concern and understanding of people with special needs, promoting the positive message of social harmony and of integration between persons with and without disabilities.
- Race to the Top of Macao Tower
The Race to the Top of the Macau Tower, jointly organised by the IACM, the Board, the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre and the General Association of Athletics of Macau, took place on 22nd February (4th day of Lunar New Year). Starting fromMacauTower, over 600 participants dashed 3km around the Sai Van Lake and then made their way back toMacauTower, climbing 61 floors with 1,298 steps, symbolising a steady climb to success in the Year of the Goat. Sports lovers from different countries and regions joined the event, lending it a competitive yet lively atmosphere. Through this activity the organisers hoped to deepen the message of sports and good health conveyed to the public, encouraging them to actively engage in long-term and regular exercise to boost their immune system.
