44 Teams Paddle To Victory At This Year’s Dubai Festival City Dragon Boat Festival
The fifth annual Dubai Festival City Dragon Boat Festival, attracted 44 teams competing for glory at the fun-filled, family friendly event, held in Festival marina.
Over 1500 competitors and spectators attended the Festival, with corporate, university, school and community groups from across the United Arab Emirates Paddling for victory at the popular annual event. Organised by Siren Events, the Dragon Boat Festival is supported by Festival Centre Dubai Festival City, the UAE Dragon Boat Association, Steel Craft, UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, Fitness First, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, and is held in association with Mourjan Marinas IGY, the luxury marina developer and management company.
Bernice Boshoff, GM Festival Centre commented: “We are delighted that this year’s Festival has been such a success. The atmosphere over the weekend was buzzing with fun and team spirit. Year on year we have seen this event grow and I would like to congratulate all the winners and also recognize all the participating teams for their superb on water efforts and making the 5th Annual Dubai Festival City Dragon Boat Festival one to remember! We are already looking forward to 2013!”
Jason Mackenzie, Technical Director of the UAE Dragon Boat Association, said: “We have been thrilled to see the growing support of and participation in the Dubai Festival City Dragon Boating Festival. Over the weekend we were pleased to see the level of competition and skill rising across the board and look forward to future years”.
A total of seven winning teams from across the competing categories received valuable prizes including DFC Gift vouchers, Dining Vouchers from Royal Orchid, Membership for Fitness First and Trophies. The winners of the School / University Cup are: NYU Abu Dhabi (1st), Heriot Watt 2 (2nd) and Heriot Watt 1 (3rd). The winners on the corporate categories are: Premier Mixed Overall Championships - Steel Craft (1st), Abu Dhabi MAR Barbarians (2nd), Dubai Diggers (MORE) (3rd); Premier Open 200m - Dubai Flying Dragons (1st), Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (2nd), Abu Dhabi MAR Barbarians (3rd); Premier Women 500m - Dubai Diggers (MORE) (1st), Dubai Flying Dragons (2nd), Abu Dhabi Ladies (3rd), Corporate Shield 200m Final - Dubizzle Rock Stars (only one), Corporate Bowl 200m Final - Al Bandar (1st), Festive Dragons (2nd), Royal Orchid Hospitality (3rd); Corporate Plate Final 200m - Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (1st), Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (2nd), Daman Dragons (3rd) and finally the Corporate Cup Final 200m - Abu Dhabi MAR Barbarians (1st), Fitness Firsters (2nd), Steel Dragons (3rd).
A programme of family-friendly entertainment including a kid’s corner, face painting by the talented McDonald’s kids entertainers and the Toys R Us Mascot “Jeffrey” kept kids entertained and cheered on the teams. Free healthcare check-ups, courtesy of Welcare Medical Clinic, were also on offer to coincide with World Health Day.
A Belgian Garden Café was held at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City over the festival weekend, with premium Belgian beverages and delicious hearty food on offer and played host to the Dragon Boat after-race party.
To register your interest in taking part in next year’s event or for sponsorship opportunities please email info@sirenevents.com or call +971 4 453 4620.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Apr 9, 2012
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