DBS Bank announced on Sunday a $3.5 million sponsorship for next year's Singapore SEA Games, as well as its dragon boat and sailing races. It will also be scheduling its DBS Marina Regatta in conjunction with the biennial Games, which will be held from June 5 to 16.

The water sports festival's open and women's races will be held on May 30 and 31, while the mixed races will be held on the same weekend as the SEA Games' dragon boat races at Marina Bay in early June.

Cash prizes for the Marina Regatta's dragon boat races will be increased from $195,000 to $213,000, while the number of race participants is expected to increase to more than 3,800. The annual Schools National Dragon Boat Championships will also be held in conjunction with the regatta for the first time, in a bid to promote young talent.

Other community initiatives planned by DBS Bank include getting pioneers and selected community groups to witness the SEA Games opening and closing ceremonies, and rallying its employees to make the Games mascot, Nila, for the dragon boat and sailing medallists.

Said Lim Teck Yin, chairman of the Singapore SEA Games organising committee: "We are excited to work together with DBS Bank to bring an extraordinary sport to all spectators and competitors in front of Singapore's iconic skyline at Marina Bay."