Dragon boat race set for Poyang Lake

Nanchang (CNS) -- The 2012 Chinese Dragon Boat Race Festival (CDBRF) promises a two-day event to be set for the first time on Poyang Lake, China's largest body of fresh water, a source confirmed Wednesday. The event committee also welcomes overseas dragon boat teams to participate.

The CDBRF is jointly sponsored by the National Sports Administrative Center and China Dragon Boat Association, together with other units. It will hold eight to ten events in different places.

For the Poyang Lake stations, there two competitions will be staged: a 200-meter race and 500-meter race, both for female and male teams. The prize for male champions is 80,000 yuan and for female, 40,000 yuan.

Dragon boat racing has been a traditional water sport and seasonal entertainment here, said Zhang Xinhua, the head of Poyang County, particularly on big holidays or to mark great events. Residents typically join in all the celebrations connected with the boat race.