In condolence of the passing of Mr. Ma Man Kei, adjustments have been made to the racing schedule of the 11^th Asian Dragon Boat Championships and the 2014 Macao International Dragon Boat Races.

The Bai San Ceremony of the 2014 Macao International Dragon Boat Races, organized by the Macao Sport Development Board and the Macao, China Dragon Boat Association, and co-organized by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, took place at noon at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre. 

The President of the Organizing Committee and the Macao Sport Development Board Mr. José Tavares expressed condolence on behalf of the Organizing Committee.  He said the patriotic Mr. Ma has enthusiastically involved in various sectors of Macao society during his lifetime, including sports and he was also dedicated to the growth and education of youth athletes and has made significant contributions to the development of sports in Macao.  In order to express the deepest condolence to Mr. Ma, the 11th Asian Dragon Boat Championships, originally scheduled to take place for three days from 30 May to 1 June, will now take place for two days from 30 to 31 May.  A minute silence will also be observed on 30 May before the start of the competition.

In addition, the 2014 Macao International Dragon Boat Races will be postponed.  All local competitions originally scheduled to take place from 31 May to 1 June, including the Small Dragon Boat Races, Public Entities Small Dragon Boat Races and Standard Dragon Boat Races, will now take place on 7 and 8 June (Saturday and Sunday).  The Macao International Invitational Standard Dragon Boat Races, originally scheduled to take place on 2 June (Tuen Ng Festival), is cancelled. 

For further information on the most updated racing schedule, please visit the Macao Sport Development Board website (www.sport.gov.mo).