World Lion Dance Championship at Genting

WHAT better way to celebrate the country's 50 years of nationhood than with a whole lot of fanfare?

Genting – City of Entertainment, the Selangor & Federal Territory Dragon & Lion Dance Association and the Tourism Ministry are jointly organising a special 50 Years of Nationhood – World Lion Dance Invitation Championship in conjunction with Malaysia's 50th year of independence at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands Resort come August.

It is also held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

“The event this year will be more exciting and interesting,” Selangor & Federal Territory Dragon & Lion Dance Association chairman Leong Lik Thong told a press conference last Thursday.

During the press conference, lots were drawn to determine when the teams would be competing during the preliminary rounds, which will be held on Aug 3 and 4.

Drawing lots: Leong (second from left) and Resorts World Bhd promotions and entertainment assistant manager Steve Wong (third from left) drawing lots to determine when the teams would compete during the preliminary rounds on Aug 3 and 4. Also present is competition chief judge H.P. Siow (right).

Leong said the expenditure for the event this year exceeded RM800,000 and that much care had been put into planning the event.

“There are more teams this time. While we used to allow only two teams per country, we are now allowing three teams. We have 27 teams participating, from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singa-pore, Indonesia, Australia, the United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and the Philippines.”

The first championship took place in 1994. The international competition is held on a biennial basis, and is interspersed with a national championship.

“This event has become established over the years, and I am told that the teams have been working very hard on their repertoire,” Leong said, adding that they were expecting a full house attendance this year.

The champions will be awarded a cash prize of US$10,000 together with a trophy, while the first and second runners-up will receive trophies and US$5,000 and US$3,000 respectively.

The remaining seven teams that qualify for the finals will receive US$1,000 each.

The 50 Years of Nationhood – World Lion Dance Invitation Championship will take place from Aug 3 to 5 at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands. Preliminary rounds will take place on the Aug 3 and 4, while the finals will be held on Aug 5.

Tickets are by way of redemption at Genting WorldCard Centres. For more details, call 03-6105 2028.

Source : STAR
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