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Penang Dragon Boat Festival 2007
Dragon boat racing is a sport that has existed for centuries. founded in China, it combines the power, speed and endurance of 12 or 20 people. Manned by paddlers, steelers and a drummer, the exquisite dragon boats surge towards the finish line, accompanied by the thunder of drums and roar of the crowd.
Outside of China, Malaysia was the first country to hold dragon boat races. In 1934, dragon boat race was first introduced as a sporting activity in Penang.
In 1956, Penang's first dragon boat race was held to commemorate the Georgetown Municipal Council's 100th anniversary. 10 years later the sport was revived as a part of Pesta Pulau Penang (Penang Festival).
In those early years, the race show only local participation from teams including government departments, associations and commercial establishments. But the sport gained populatiry in 1979, the first Penang International Dragon Boat Festival took place with 2 teams from overseas, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The Penang International Dragon Boat Festival is a stage government project and supported by the Penang State Tourism Division, Tourism Malaysia and the Penang State Water Authority.
Now (2007) the 28th festival is a hotly contested competition with teams from many countries fighting for the coveted grand prize.
Source from 28th Penang Dragon Boat International Festival 2007 booklet.
Please click here to see: Penang Dragon Boat Festival 2007
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