Press Release - June 17, 2007

Tens of thousands of spectators and participants of the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival today (Sunday) were thrilled by the “Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup” Race, sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) to mark the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Six international mixed teams who entered the final round of the two-day race festival, competed vigorously for the unique “Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup” Race. After very keen competition, the Outer Harbour Dragonboat Club “Mayfair Predators” emerged as championship winner with a very close score.

About 180 teams with over 5,000 paddlers competed for the “Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup” and the Grand Championship at the two-day Festival.

Apart from the “Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup” Race, a preview of an exhibition entitled “Five Decades under the Lion Rock – Courage, Aspiration & a Prosperous Future” featuring a collection of photographs taken by Hong Kong and Canadian photographers in Hong Kong during the last 50 years is also held at the Festival.

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The Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Mr Francis Ho (3rd from right, back row), presents the special “Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup” to Outer Harbour Dragonboat Club “Mayfair Predators”, the winning team of the International Mixed Championship Race, at the 19th Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival held on Toronto Centre Island today (Sunday).

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