As part of its initiative to support culture and arts, and to provide a variety of entertainment offerings to tourists and guests, MGM will host the 6th annual MGM Lion Dance Championship on November 12 and 13, 2016.
This year the event will also introduce Macau’s first Female Traditional Lion Dance Championship with a rating system of international standard.
With the objective of passing on the culture and tradition of this Chinese sport to a wider audience, especially to the local younger generations, the “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Macau International Invitational 2016” is co-hosted by Wushu General Association of Macau and supported by the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and Dragon & Lion Dances Federation of Asia.
The exciting event will be held in MGM’s impressive Grande Praça. Renowned lion dance troupes from all over the world will fiercely battle it out for the championship with their awe-inspiring moves and acrobatic stunts. Last year, a total of 23 competitive troupes wowed the crowd with their gravity-defying moves and skillful pole-jumping routines.
At a recent press conference to announce the event, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Ltd, Mr. Grant Bowie said, “We have consistently promoted this significant piece of Chinese culture over the past years and we are proud to bring these initiatives to a higher level as it becomes a sport that is recognized internationally. Through this event, we further showcase Macau as a world leisure destination with diversified offerings and dynamic experiences available to audiences of all sorts, while grooming our youth to the essence of Chinese heritage.”
Mr. Chan Weng Kit, President of Wushu General Association of Macau and Chairman of Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia added, “MGM has made a significant contribution towards the development of lion dance. This auspicious and joyous event has vigorously helped promote the tourism and economic diversification in Macau.”
Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting the growth and promotion of lion dance, last year in September, the MGM Lion Dance Championship expanded to hold its first ever event in Beijing, the “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Beijing International Invitational 2015”, featuring an impressive line-up of 10 lion dance troupes from all over the world.
And for the last two years, MGM has also been proud to host the Junior Lion Dance Training Program, in collaboration with Macau Hong Wai Sports and Recreations Association and supported by MGTO, the Sports Bureau, and Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ). Participants are given the opportunity to develop a keen knowledge of the history of this cultural sport, and the use of different props and instruments, while enhancing team spirit and overall physical health. This fun and fulfilling extra-curricular activity is expertly led by Mr. Mak Chi Leong, the Chairman of Macau Hong Wai Sports and Recreations Association and Head Coach of the Association’s Dragon and Lion Dances Department.
In August this year, a certificate presentation session was held to congratulate the fresh graduates of the second class of the MGM Lion Dance Championship – Junior Lion Dance Training Program 2016, which took place over the summer. A total of 75 graduates aged between 5 and 10 were presented with certificates and souvenirs, and then gave a wonderful lion dance performance for their coach, parents and special guests.