[Macau, August 22, 2017] MGM celebrated its third “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Junior Lion Dance Training Program,” with the first-ever Junior Lion Eye-Dotting Ceremony in Macau today. This fun-filled seven-week course, in collaboration with Macau Hong Wai Sports and Recreations Association and with the continuous support of Macao Government Tourism Office as well as Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Macau SAR government, has trained up a total of 75 new little masters aged between 5 and 10 in this cohort.

MGM hosted the Graduation Ceremony at MGM MACAU’s Grand Ballroom, participated by  Guests of Honor including Mr. Liu Bin, Director-General of Economic Affairs Department of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office; Mr. Kong Ngai, Chief of Division of Continuing Education of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR; Mr. Chow Chi Man, Chairman of Macau Hong Wai Sports and Recreations Association; Mr. Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited and Mr. John Shigley, Chief Operating Officer for Gaming of MGM China Holdings Limited.

To kick off the event, all Guests of Honor were invited to officiate the festive eye-dotting ritual performed by junior lion troupes for first time in Macau. The ceremony was then followed by up-beat and exciting Junior Lion Dance performances presented by the students of Junior Lion Dance Continuous Training Program as well as current graduates respectively and concluded with the certificate presentation session.

Mr. Grant Bowie said at the event, “Youth is the future of our community. At MGM, we have consistently promoted this significant piece of heritage, making it more accessible to audience of all ages. Through this program, we hope that we can help to develop a sense of pride, participation and achievement in the younger generation. This is another innovative way that MGM contributes to the development of the community of Macau.”

Mr. Chow Chi Man also congratulated the graduates and said, “For the third consecutive year, the MGM Junior Lion Dance Program has received positive feedback from the community as this is an important platform to nurture the next generation of lion dancers. We hope that in future, they can form teams, join competitions, and support the sports scene of Macau.”

One of the parents, Ms. Cheong, also expressed her joy, “My daughter has become more independent and disciplined since the program and I’ve also noticed significant progress on her interpersonal skills.  I am touched by her enthusiasm in Lion Dance and that makes me so proud of her.”

To date, nearly 200 local children have joined the Junior Lion Dance Program since its launch in 2015. The Program is designed for different levels, from foundational choreography training to formal lion dancing course. It provides the participants an in-depth understanding about the art of traditional lion dancing and the opportunities to perform in public community events.  

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About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions/subconcessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and is developing a second resort, MGM COTAI which is expected to more than double our presence in Macau. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling.  MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 5,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on prime waterfront on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

MGM COTAI is the latest addition to the MGM portfolio in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it plans to offer approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. MGM COTAI will offer Asia’s first dynamic theater and a spectacle to wow every guest who steps foot in the resort. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the largest property and the first private sector project ever to achieve the China Green Building (Macau) Design Label Certification.

MGM China Holdings Limited is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. 

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Irene Wong                                      

Vice President of Public & Community Relations

MGM                                                                                                              

Tel: (853) 8802 2822                                              

Email: irenewong@mgm.mo

Karen Lam                                                Juliana Kung                                   

Public Relations Manager                          Public Relations Manager

MGM                                                          MGM

Tel: (853) 8802 3801                                   Tel: (853) 8802 3803

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo                        Email: julianakung@mgm.mo