Middle Island Cup 2022

The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong Youth Committee Middle Island Cup 2022

WORDS: JANICE LAM | IMAGES: STANLEY LAM AND MIKE LAW

DRAGON BOAT CONTACTS

dragonboat@rhkyc.org.hk

rganised by Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and sponsored by the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong Youth Committee (YCMA), the YCMA Middle Island Cup was held out of Middle Island on Sunday 30 October.

The race was divided into two groups: ‘Small Boat’ (10 paddlers) and ‘Standard Boat’ (20 paddlers). Each group included Women’s, Open and Mixed categories. In addition, the Small Boat group included a ‘Junior’ and ‘YCMA 25th Anniversary Race’ categories.

The 1km long racecourse was set in the channel in front of the Middle Island clubhouse. The race attracted 35 teams from local sports clubs, universities, youth organisations and corporations with over 400 paddlers competing. Racing was conducted in a knockout format with two teams taking part in each heat. The winning team from each heat then progressed to the next round of the event until a Champion was crowned for each of the categories. In addition, and based on overall scores, the Middle Island Cup was awarded to the team with the best score – and in the end it was the Leung Fook Hing Tong dragon boat team that came out victorious.

An eye dotting ceremony was held at 1200hrs. Amongst the invited dignitaries and officiating guests were Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr. Leung Wan Ching, Clarence, BBS, JP; President, The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA), Dr. Shi Lop Tak Allen, BBS, MH, JP; CMA Legislative Council Representative the Hon Jimmy Ng Wing Ka, BBS, JP; Commodore, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Ms. Lucy Sutro; Executive Vice President, CMA, Dr. Lo Kam Wing, JP; Chairman of CMA Testing cum Vice President of CMA, Mr. Lok Pak Keung Robert; Chairman, YCMA, Mr. Howard Wong; and Executive Vice Chairman, YCMA, Mr. Kenneth Shi.

In her welcoming remarks, Commodore Lucy Sutro said that the Club shares the same commitment as the HKSAR Government in promoting sport to the community, in supporting elite sports and in developing Hong Kong as a prime destination for hosting major international sports events. The Club has been working hard to promote sailing, rowing and paddling to the wider public and was very pleased that the event drew competitors from all walks of life. Ms Sutro also noted in particular that the partnership with the YCMA had further strengthened the Club’s connection with local youth committees and this has resulted in new teams joining to experience this great event.

President, CMA, Dr. Shi Lop Tak Allen remarked that sponsoring the Middle Island Cup is another initiative of YCMA to inspire youth. Dragon boat racing is a symbol of energy and vibrancy and an opportunity to build team dynamics that strengthen perseverance. What’s more, it is a spiritual code of Chinese culture that stimulates a person’s national identity. This is undeniably crucial in youth development.

Chairman, YCMA, Mr. Howard Wong said in his speech this year marks the 25th Anniversary for YCMA and the dragon boat team has always been the heart of the association. The YCMA has always worked closely with different youth groups in Hong Kong encouraging positive energy and building confidence through exchanges with industry leaders, sports, and culture.

Some of the competitors who took part today treated the Middle Island Cup as a warmup for the Asian Dragonboat Championships in Thailand where they will be competing in November. These athletes Tam Tsz Wai, Cheung Chung Ho, Wu Cheuk Wai are members of the female team, Lau Wing Kee Fei Dragon, and Lau Chin Ho, Hung Tsz Hin and Mak Tik Wang are members of the male team, Shan Liu Village Leung Fok Hing Tong. Today they both clinched the Champions in their own categories.

The event saw different teams representing various universities and youth organisations. They included University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Education University of Hong Kong as well as the YCMA, the Y. Elites Association and the Hong Kong United Youth Association. These teams competed in the special YCMA 25th Anniversary Race and the Hong Kong Baptist University Dragon Boat team crowned the Champion in YCMA 25th Anniversary Race.

A massively fun element to the racing was that given the event was held on the eve of Halloween, many of the teams turned up in costumes! On the day, we had teams of Wonder Women, ghosts and ghouls and [*]. Our RHKYC men putting in a strong performance for contender of the ‘Best Dressed’ award by coming as Spartans. Even Buzz lightyear from Toy Story showed up to steer one of the teams. Other steers included a pumpkin and a Spanish flamenco dancer with skirt in full flow behind her!

Huge thank you to our title sponsors The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong Youth Committee (YCMA) and to our partners, Peroni and Kimbo Coffee. Also to the The Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association who sanctioned the event. Last and certainly not least to all of our RHKYC volunteers who have been giving us a great support and back up to make the event was so successfully and smoothly run. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again next year in this event.

CONTACTS

Rowing Manager rowingmanager@rhkyc.org.hk Coastal Rowing coastalrowing@rhkyc.org.hk Shatin Men’s Racing shatinrowingmen@rhkyc.org. hk Shatin Women’s Racing shatinrowingladies@rhkyc.org.hk