Authorised by the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) and organised by the Macao Sport Development Board and Macao China Dragon Boat Association, the ‘Macao 2010, 7th Club Crew World Championships’ was held at the Nam Van lake Nautical Centre in Macao from 28th July to 1st August.
Some 110 clubs from Europe, Asia, America and Oceania sent 181 teams comprising 3,643 athletes to participate in 232 races in different categories, distance, Small Boat and Standard Boat. In addition to the newly included Small Boat races, the Championships introduced two mixed division races, namely the Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS) All Cancer Survivors crews, in order to encourage people to face life positively and treasure health. This was the all-time largest international dragon boat championships held in Macao. The re-organising of this large-scale international dragon boat competition was a token of trust of the International Dragon Boat Federation towards Macao as well as their full recognition of Macao’s ability to organise such large-scale competitions. The event also marked a new milestone in Macao’s dragon boat activities.
The opening ceremony of the 7th Club Crew World Championships was held at Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre on the afternoon of 29th July. Guests of honour included Chief Executive MSAR Chui Sai On, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the MSAR Lu Shumin, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U, Executive President of the International Dragon Boat Federation Mike Haslam, and President of the Macao Sport Development Board Vong Iao Lek. The opening ceremony included the traditional eye-dotting and flag-handover ceremonies, followed by racing teams conducting a parade on Nam Van Lake.
During the competitions, the sounds of drums and gongs and colourful flags fluttering in the streets made the event even more spectacular. Crowds watched the competitions from ashore, filling the atmosphere with a rich festive mood. After five consecutive days of competition, the Macao 2010, 7th Club Crew World Championships successfully concluded on 1st August.
