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The Star Online - 1st May 2009 by Winnie Yeoh Penang is opening the Teluk Bahang dam on weekends to all registered clubs and teams taking part in next month's 30th Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (PIDBF) so they can practise there for free. The dam would be open for practice from 4pm to 7pm, said Penang Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang who added that no fee would be charged. "The PIDBF will be held on May 23 and May 24 and we really hope Penang teams can secure the top spots when competing against the overseas teams from Thailand, Singapore, United States, New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Dubai," he said when checking out a practice session at the dam recently. Law also said Penang was aiming to send a team to practice in the 16th Asan Games 2010 which would be held in Guangzhou, China, next year. "It is the first time that the dragon boat event is included in the Asian Games. With ample practice and the best rowers, we hope to send a strong team to the Games," he said. He also said Penang was selling 10 second-hand 10-year-old dragon boats for RM4,000 each. "The boats are still in good condition and they will looks as good as new with some new paint," Law said, adding that a brand new vessel would cost RM40,000. Penang Forward Sports Club vice-chairman Lim Boon Chin said the team had been practising at least thrice a week at MarVista beach front. "We have been practising since early this year to prepare for the compeition next month. We;ll aksi be reoresenting Penang in the 2009 Macau International Dragon Boat Races on May 28," he said. Team Anak Malaysia team manager Steven Fan said the opening of the dam for their weekly practice was a good move as it allowed teams to familiarise themselves at the actual competition venue. |
