Strong turnout at Singapore's oldest dragon boat event with 245 teams competing

SINGAPORE - More than 3,000 participants and supporters took part in Singapore's oldest dragon boat event wich turns 87 this year. The two-day Singapore Dragon Boat Festival 2014, held at Bedok Reservoir over the weekend, attracted 245 teams.

Jointly organised by People's Association Water-Venture and Singapore Dragon Boat Association, this year's event saw a stronger emphasis on community participation and involvement with the introduction of two new race categories - Residents' Committee and Neighbourhood Committee Race.

Minister of State for National Development, Desmond Lee, who attended the race said: "It is encouraging to see so many like-minded residents from different ages, races and estates coming together to celebrate the festival and compete in Singapore's oldest dragon boat event.....Water sports, in particular, dragon boating, has proved to be a good activity for family and community bonding and we will continue to ensure that such activities and events will be accessible to everyone living in the heartlands."

Dr Lam Pin Min, president of Singapore Dragon Boat Association, said the event is a "good platform for us to further develop sporting excellence in the sport of dragon boating by cultivating mass participation."

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