A continuous 3-hour dragon boat relay organized
by corporate teams in solidarity with the dragon
boating community, to raise funds and create awareness
towards the sport.
The tragedy that struck the Singapore National Dragon
Boat Team in Cambodia last November is the reason
for the Corporate Dragon Boat Relay 2008: Show of
Faith.
This unique relay, a special corporate affiliates
initiated event with the support of SDBA, will kick
off the Singapore Dragon Boat Association’s (SDBA)
events calendar this year, conveys the strong support
from corporate teams for the sport and the dragon
boat community at large.
We hope that through this event, we can raise the
public awareness that dragon boating is a safe sport,
especially so in Singapore. This is also the first
time that corporate organizations, who normally
view each other as competitors on the water, are
coming together to show our concerted support to
the sport that we are all so passionate about,”
said Mr Adrian Tan, spokesperson for the corporate
organizing committee and co-captain of Shell’s dragon
boat team.
Funds raised from the participation fees and corporate
sponsorships will be used to
upgrade,
renew and
maintain
the facilities at the Kallang Water Sports Centre.
This is how we think is best to give back to the
sporting community that we have gained so much from,”
Mr Tan added.
An estimated 500 paddlers from corporate teams will
participate on February 23, with the common goal
of paddling the maximum distance possible within
3 hours in this first-of-its-kind relay, which will
raise an estimated $12,500 from the participation
fees alone. Corporate sponsorships and donations
are also being sought to boost the total funds raised.
The relay will be truly ‘inter-corporate’ as paddlers
from different corporate teams will paddle together
to achieve the best possible result. We even designed
a corporate logo to symbolize all the corporate
teams banding together with a common goal!” exclaimed
Ms Miia Lankinen, captain of Standard Chartered
Bank’s dragon boat team.
There are an estimated 6000 paddlers in Singapore,
9% comprising corporate paddlers. The 25th Singapore
River Regatta 2007 saw a record of 399 participating
teams.
Paddlers with no experience are also welcome to
paddle alongside with seasoned paddlers, so more
people will come to know what dragon boating is
about, and that it is a safe sport.
Dragon boating has been gaining in popularity over
the past few years and is notable for its strong
corporate involvement and support, because it promotes
teamwork and camaraderie,” said RADM (RET) Kwek
Siew Jin, President (SDBA).
We appreciate the corporate’ initiative in organizing
this event, and are committed to disbursing the
funds towards enhancing the facility at the Kallang
Water Sports Centre this year,” RADM (RET) Kwek
added.
Interested corporate teams and individuals can obtain
the registration form online from above. Registration
fees are $25.00 per person, inclusive of a commemorative
event cap. Registration ends 4th February 2008,
Monday.
The SDBA and the corporate organizing committee
would appreciate your media’s help to publicize
and cover this event. Please RSVP to Isaac at
isaactan@mediacorp.com.sg
or Ching Li at
torchingli@gmail.com
by 20th February 2008.
We look forward to your support and participation.
Thank you.
Mr Surash Raman Mukundan
Secretary-General
Singapore Dragon Boat Association 
