Thursday, September 29, 2010

Galaxy Entertainment Group (“GEG”)’s Dragon Boat Team participated in the first “2010 China Nanjing Cross-Strait Qinhuai River Dragon Boat Rally”, which took place on September 22 at Qinhuai River. After a long and strenuous race, GEG’s Dragon Boat Team achieved 1st runner-up at the Standard Boat – Open 20km Rally.

GEG’s Dragon Boat Team participated as the sole entry from Macau and it succeeded in out-rallying 9 impressive competitors from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The dragon boat rally is an intensive water sport that demands uniformity and high team spirit where each member’s determination and stamina accounts for the team’s overall performance, GEG’s Dragon Boat Team paddled in full speed throughout the heavy pouring rain, taking home the well-deserved 1st runner-up trophy with a total finishing time of 01:54:56 (57’11” to finish the first 10km morning session and 57’45” to finish the second 10km afternoon session).

At the award presentation ceremony, Mr. Yan Shi, Secretary-General of Nanjing Dragon Boat Association presented the trophy and cash prizes to GEG’s Dragon Boat Team, who is overwhelmed by their proud achievements, celebrated on the winner’s podium by waving their large GEG flag.

Established in 2005, members from GEG’s two men’s and two women’s dragon boat team brought themselves together. Choosing only their most elite and experienced members to form a triumphant mixed GEG Dragon Boat Team that swept this dragon boat rally, GEG’s dragon boat team members are known dragon boat fanatics. For years, members would train themselves for at least 3 hours after work, and they do this on a daily basis, regardless of weather conditions. While their intensive training helps improve their skills and strengthen their bodies’ physique, training also helps members building their cooperation, team work and team spirit. Throughout the years, GEG’s dragon boat teams have participated in a number of local and international dragon boat competitions, with members accumulating a lot of valuable experiences and awards. Recently, the two GEG men’s dragon boat teams, “Galaxy Glamour” obtained 1st runner-up at the “2010 Macau International Dragon Boat Races – 250m Macau Small Dragon Race” while “Galaxy Stars” was awarded 1st and 2nd runner-up respectively at the “2010 Macau International Dragon Boat Races – 2,000m Standard Dragon Boat Open” and “2010 Macau International Dragon Boat Races – 500m Standard Dragon Boat Open”. The two GEG women’s dragon boat teams, “Galaxy Pearl” obtained 1st runner-up at the “2010 Macau International Dragon Boat Races – Women’s 500m Standard Dragon Boat Race” and “Galaxy Phoenix” obtained 4th place at the “2010 Macau International Dragon Boat Races – Women’s 250m Macau Small Dragon Boat Race”. Furthermore, “Galaxy Stars” – who received the Macau Sport Development Board’s invitation to participate at the “Macau 2010 7th Club Crew World Championships” finished in 1st place at the “Standard Boat Premier Open – 200m Plate Finals” and ranked 15th overall at the “Standard Boat Premier Open – 500m Plate Finals”.