RADIO PANAMA Editorial Office
This Saturday concluded the first day of dragon boat races in the Amador area, to continue on Sunday the 7th Dragon Boat Race, a free sporting event for the whole family, which takes place within the framework of the 73rd anniversary of founding of the People’s Republic of China.
“This race is very important, since it is the last one, prior to the Pan American Dragon Boat Championship, which will be held next year in Panama, from March 16 to 19, 2022, and which will have the participation of 30 teams in the race. open category, mixed, female, collegiate, youth, master and cancer survivors” explained Fermín Tomás Chan, president of the Panamanian Chinese Cultural Center and the organizing committee of this popular sport.
He also explained that this Saturday’s races were distances of 500, 1,000 and 2,000 meters and tomorrow, Sunday, they will be 200 meters with the participation of 13 teams and about 400 competitors, while stressing that the results of this race will determine the classifications for participate in the Pan American
This Sunday, October 23, at 9 in the morning, the opening ceremony will be held, with the painting of the eyes of the dragons, a traditional Chinese act to drive away evil spirits. The ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Panama, Wei Qiang, the counselor, Li Wuji; and the consul Wan Bei.
Groups of 14 people, of which 10 are rowers, one person keeps the rhythm of rowing with a drum and another takes the helm of the boat, in addition to two who are reserves, make up these teams that compete in this ancient sport that requires a lot of discipline and complete teamwork of all its participants.