The Macao International Dragon Boat Races is a traditional sport event in Macao, each year attracting the participation of a great number of dragon boat fans. It has also become one of the signature sport events of Macao.

This year, the 2011 Macao International Dragon Boat Races was held at Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre from 4^th to 6^th June. The event was jointly organized by the Macao Sport Development Board and the Macao China Dragon Boat Association, co-organized by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Civil Service Bureau. The 3-day event attracted the attendance of many residents and tourists. Along with other VIP guests, Chief Executive Dr. Chui Sai On also attended the event and presided over the award ceremony. The entire venue was filled with a festive and joyful atmosphere.

Besides the 120 local participating teams, an array of elite dragon boat teams from all over the world were also attracted to Macao and competed in the international invitation races. They include the last year’s champion Nanhai Jiujiang as well as teams from UK, China-Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, US-San Francisco, Singapore and Tianjin and Sichuan from mainland China. Nearly 3,000 athletes from 139 dragon boat teams braved the scorching sun and fought hard at the races, making the event a wonderful and exciting spectacle.

On the first day, the Macao Small Boat Race, the University Small Boat Race, the Macao Public Entities Small Boat Race and the Macao Standard Boat 2,000m Race took place respectively; on the second day, Macao Standard Boat 500m Race and the University Invitation Standard Boat 500-meter Race were held; while on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, the Macao International Invitation Standard Boat 500-meter Race was held as the climax of the entire event.

The guests of honour present at the award ceremony included the Chief Executive of Macao SAR, Dr. Chui Sai On; Deputy Commissioner of the Foreign Ministry in Macao Special Administrative Region, Song Yanbin; Deputy Director of the Culture and Education Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR, Zhang Xiaoguang; Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U; Executive Council Spokesperson, Leong Heng Teng; members of the Legislative Assembly, Vong Hin Fai and Leong On Kei; Portuguese Consul General in Macao, Manuel Maria Cansado de Carvalho; Chief of the Office of Chief Executive, Tam Chon Weng; Chief of the Office of Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong So Mui Cecilia; President of the Macao Sport Development Board, Vong Iao Lek; President of the Macao China Dragon Boat Association, Wong Kit I; Vice Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Lei Wai Nong; Director of the Macao Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Antunes; Executive President of the International Dragon Boat Federation, Mike Haslam; Honorary President of the Macao China Dragon Boat Association, Lam Ieng Lok; Chairman of the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macao, China, Ma Iao Hang; President of the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macao, China, Lo Keng Chio; and Sport Council members et al.

The winning teams of the 2011 Macao International Dragon Boat Races are as follows: