KOTA KINABALU: Since it was entrusted by the state government 10 years ago, the annual International Dragon Boat Race organized by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) has been growing increasingly successful, with encouraging support and recognition from various sectors, said Tan Sri T.C Goh, President of FCAS.
He said, through the efforts of FCAS and various parties, the “FCAS International Dragon Boat Race” has successfully developed into an annual international event, attracting enthusiastic participation from dragon boat teams and participants from both within and outside the state. It has become an annual tourism, sports, and cultural event in the state and is also listed as a key activity for the 50th anniversary celebration of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations this year.
Goh, who is also the President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong), said this while leading the delegation of FCAS leadership and the organizing committee members of the dragon boat race, in paying a courtesy call on Sabah State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, today, during which they also briefed the latter on the progress of the race’s preparation. Also present during the courtesy call were, FCAS Deputy President cum Organising Chairman of the Race, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, the four deputy presidents of FCAS Kapitan Lim Vun Chan, Ng Young Wah, Chang Jeng Yung, Shirley Wong, and Central Committee members Tan Guan Hock, Raymond Goh and Philip Chang, among others.
Goh recalled that back in 2014, Masidi who was then the Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, officially entrusted FCAS with the honorary task of organizing the international dragon boat race on behalf of the state government.
He expressed utmost gratitude for the trust and significant responsibility given by the state government to FCAS, and reiterated his commitment to continue working hard to ensure this annual event is successfully organized, with the support and cooperation of the state government, various institutions, the private sector, and people of all ethnicities.
In the meeting, he briefed Masidi on the development, achievements, and the latest progress of the event over the past ten years.
He noted that, since last year, FCAS has added 10 new dragon boats, bringing the total number to 30, in order to meet the increasingly overwhelming participation and to ensure the smooth progress of the race.
In response, Masidi expressed satisfaction with the series of achievements of the FCAS International Dragon Boat Race and gave it high praise, describing the achievements as “remarkable”.
He also explained that the state government’s decision to entrust FCAS with organizing this international event was based on two main reasons: firstly, the outstanding leadership and organizational capabilities of FCAS, and secondly, FCAS’s excellent performance in planning, organizing, and reviewing the event each year.
He reiterated that the Sabah state government fully supports this grand event, and he personally will continue to attend this year’s event as usual.
Meanwhile, in her briefing, Wong stated that the registration fee for the dragon boat race is RM300 per team per category, with the deadline of registration fixed at 12 pm on the 27th of this month (Monday).
Those interested in registering can contact the organizing committee secretariat, Regina Ngu: +60 12 411 5534, FCAS Secretariat: +60 88 253 433 (landline), +60 11 5555 9428 (mobile/WhatsApp), or via email: fcasinfo@gmail.com.-pr/BNN
