Monday, January 15, 2007

Lion dance troupes can help attract tourists


THE abilities of Malaysia’s world-class lion and dragon dance teams should be ex-ploited in an effort to attract more tourists, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said.
He said teams from Malaysia, among the world’s most skillful, had won at least 19 world titles.
“Our teams have mastered superb techniques and acrobatic skills to keep spectators in awe. They are world class,'' he said when opening the International Lion Dance Invitation Championship at Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium in Kedah.

The event was supported by the Tourism Ministry and organised by the Kuala Kedah MCA in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

The event attracted 14 teams from seven countries. Teams from Singapore and Thailand had to pull out due to injuries.

Ong said lion dances were part of Chinese culture, adding that the event could attract tourists from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Chief judge Lew Sai Fet said 25 judges from all the participa- ting countries assessed the perfor-mers.

“The three Malaysian teams parti-cipating in the world championship are the top three at the national championships held on Thursday,” he said.

The national champion was Boon Seng King Lion and Dragon Dance Association from Johor.

The first and second national runners-up were Johor-based Kor Chor and SJK ( C) Yick Nan from Sabah.

The top three International winners were Boon Seng King Lion and Dragon Dance Association from Johor, Kor Chor Lion and Dragon Dance Association from Johor and Chong Sun team from Macau.



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