[August 22, 2018, Macau] MGM hosted a press conference for the “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Macau International Invitational 2018” and a graduation ceremony for the “Junior Lion Dance Training Program 2018” today at MGM COTAI’s Ballroom. MGM announced that this year’s Championship will take place at MGM Theater at COTAI on November 10 and 11, introducing Macau’s first Junior Lion Dance Performance Competition.

The “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Macau International Invitational 2018” is co-hosted by Wushu General Association of Macau, and supported by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) and Dragon & Lion Dances Federation of Asia; while the Junior Lion Dance Training Program is a collaboration with Hong Wai Dragon & Lion Dance Association Macau and also supported by MGTO and DSEJ. Guests of Honor in attendance at the event were Mr. Zuo Xianghua, Director of Economic Affairs Department of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Anthony Leong, Acting Director of Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau; Ms. Jennifer Si Tou, Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of MGTO; Mr. Wong Chi Iong, Acting Chief of Department of Education of DSEJ; Ms. Fong Fei, Head of Sports Associations Support Division of Sports Bureau; Mr. Cheang Kuok Heng, Deputy Director of Wushu General Association of Macau; Mr. Chow Chi Man, Chairman of Hong Wai Dragon & Lion Dance Association Macau; Mr. Hetzer Siu, CEO and National Director of Macau Special Olympics; and Mr. Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited.

Introducing First-Ever Junior Lion Dance Performance Competition

The event kicked off with a dynamic performance by Macau Special Olympics’ lion dance team that is sponsored and supported by MGM. The lion dancers wowed the audience of nearly 200 with their stunning moves and showmanship. At the invitation of the Wushu General Association of Macau, the “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Macau International Invitational 2018” features lion dance teams from 14 countries and regions including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR. In addition, the Championship gathers the very best lion dance teams from Australia, the United States, Cambodia and Myanmar, making the competition truly international. The two-day action-packed Championship will also include the “Female Traditional Lion Dance Championship” with international standard rating system, and Macau’s first “Junior Lion Dance Performance Competition”.

Mr. Grant Bowie said, “The MGM International Lion Dance Championship was first launched in 2010, the standards continue to rise as more competition categories have been added and a new rating system has been adopted, enabling lion dance to be developed into a international competitive sport. This year, the Championship will take place at Asia’s dynamic theater, MGM Theater at MGM COTAI for the first time. The theater will be transformed into a competition venue, offering a never-seen-before experience for the audience and the participating teams. We hope that all these efforts we made can pass on the culture and tradition of this Chinese sport to local young generations, making it more accessible to all ages of the community.”

Mr. Cheang Kuok Heng thanked MGM and other parties for hosting and supporting the International Lion Dance Championship, “Over the years, the MGM International Lion Dance Championship has received unwavering support from Macau locals, tourists and lion dance lovers. An event of such scale not only highlights Macau’s East-meets-West culture, but also actively supports the local, regional and international dragon & lion dances federations, promoting this traditional Chinese culture across the world.”

Nurturing 70 New Little Masters to Pass on this Chinese Heritage

A certificate presentation session was then hosted to congratulate the fresh graduates of the fourth class of the Junior Lion Dance Training Program, which took place over the past seven weeks. A total of 70 graduates aged between five and eight were awarded with certificates, and the joyous occasion concluded with an exhilarating lion dance performed by these new little masters, all decked in costumes and armed with full sets of props.

One of the parents, Mrs. Lo, said, “MGM Junior Lion Dance Training Program is a very interesting and innovative program for children, as it is one of the few programs that allows them to know more about traditional Chinese culture. After joining this program, my five-year-old son has improved his rhythm, teamwork and collaboration, and has even learned to care more about other people. Since the children take turns carrying the lion’s head and the lion’s tail, and it is very hard for them controlling the lion’s tail as they need to bend down for a long time. After every single practice, the children will comfort each other, particularly those controlling the lion’s tail, and I think it is a good way for them to be more sympathetic.”

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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 MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles 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 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 offers 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 also offers Asia’s first dynamic theater and a spectacle to wow every guest who steps foot in the resort. MGM COTAI is 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 mega-size complex project in Macau to achieve the China Green Building Design Label Three-Star 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:    

Jessie Kuan

Assistant Director of Public Relations

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3412

Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo

Karen Lam

Public Relations Manager

MGM

Tel: (853) 8802 3801

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo