Organized by the Macao Sport Development Board and the Macao China Dragon Boat Association, and co-organized by the Macao Civic & Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Macao Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, the 2012 Macao International Dragon Boat Races were held at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre on the 16^th, 17^th and 23^rd of June, attracting many resident and tourist spectators. Chief Executive Dr. Fernando Chui Sai On was among the many guests who showed up to enjoy the dragon boat races with the public and presided over the award ceremonies. The scene was brimming with a festive and joyous atmosphere.

A total of 138 teams participated in this event, including 26 teams in the Open Category and 6 teams in the Women’s Category in the Macao Standard Dragon Boat Race Open – 500m event. 7 teams competed in the Macao Standard Dragon Boat Race Open – 2000m event and 4 teams took part in the Macao University Student Invitational Standard Dragon Boat Race. 48 teams took part in the Open Category and 10 teams in the Women’s Category of the Macao Small Dragon Boat Open. 12 teams took part in the Macao Public Entities Small Dragon Boat Race and 5 teams took part in the Macao University Student Small Dragon Boat Race. As for international invitational races, besides the Macao team and the defending champions China Nanhai Xiqiao, many teams including teams from Hong Kong – China, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, San Francisco – USA as well as Tianjin and Sichuan from the Mainland were also invited to participate in the races.

After three days of competitions, the 2012 Macao International Dragon Boat Races came to a successful close. With a total of 50 teams competing in the Open and Women Categories, the Indonesia National Team and China Nanhai Xiqiao won respectively after rounds of competition.

Guests officiating the final award ceremony included Mr. Fernando Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, Mr. Cheong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr. Vong Hin Fai and Ms. Leong On Kei, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Manuel Maria Cansado Carvalho, Consul General of Portugal in the MSAR, Mr Tam Chon Weng, Chief of Office of the Chief Executive, Ms. Cheung So Mui, Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr. Vong Iao Lek, President of the Macao Sport Development Board, Ms. Wong Kit I, Chairwoman of the Macao China Dragon Boat Association, Mr. Lam Ieng Lok, Honorary Chairman of the Macao China Dragon Boat Association, Mr. Lei Wai Nong, Vice-President of Macao SAR Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Mr. João Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of Macao Government Tourist Office, Mr. Mike Haslam, Executive President of the International Dragon Boat Federation, Mr. José Tavares and Mr. Pun Weng Kun, Vice-Presidents of the Macao Sport Development Board, and Mr. Chung Hon Ku, Director-General of the Macao China Dragon Boat Association.

Results of the 2012 Macao International Dragon Boat Races are as follows: