The 9th “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Southern Lion Dance Invitational 2022” kicked off its grand opening today at MGM Theater. A total of 17 top troupes from seven provinces and cities across China will present their awe-inspiring acrobatic movements, matching strength with each other to clinch the top prizes. For two consecutive days from today, the contest will present a series of electrifying lion dance performances to residents and tourists alike. Residents and tourists can enjoy free admission to the event. Meanwhile, MGM partners with Macau Lotus TV to live stream the competition on 14 social media platforms for spectators to experience the excitement of this annual sports and cultural event online.

The opening ceremony took place this afternoon. Under the rousing rhythm of beating drums performed by students of the MGM Lion Dance Training Program, all competing troupes made their appearance on stage, while the MSO x MGM Lion Dance Team – Macau’s first lion dance troupe of people with intellectual disabilities, established by Macau Special Olympics (MSO) in full support of MGM – also debut on stage. The opening ceremony was officiated by a group of guests of honor, including Yin Rutao, Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Pun Weng Kun, Director of the Sports Bureau; Leong Wai Man, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau; Ricky Hoi, Deputy Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Chan Weng Kit, President of Wushu General Association of Macau and Chairman of Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia; Luís Gomes, Head of the Department of Non-tertiary Education of the Education and Youth Development Bureau; Lu Yuedi, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association; Kenneth Feng, President, Chief Strategic & Financial Officer of MGM; Chao Chi Man, Honorary Chairman of the Organizing Committee of MGM Lion Dance Championship.

Kenneth Feng, President, Chief Strategic & Financial Officer of MGM, said, “MGM is committed to championing lion dance, the traditional Chinese cultural sport in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and leveraging it to facilitate the synergy of tourism, sports and culture between Macau and the rest of the world. We launched the MGM Lion Dance Championship in 2010. Ever since we have brought forth innovations over the past 10 years – through ‘MGM Junior Lion Dance Training Program’ in 2015, followed by ‘Junior Lion Dance Performance Competition’ in 2018, this year we introduced a new match ‘Youth Traditional Lion Dance Championship” to further nurture young lion dance talents. MGM will continue to embrace innovation, fostering exchanges of special sports events across the GBA, and tapping into MGM's original IP to facilitate the development of cultural tourism in the region.”

Today’s competitions commenced with the “Female Traditional Lion Dance Championship”, during which the three female troupes amazed audiences with their moves. It was then followed by the “Junior Lion Dance Performance Competition” and the maiden “Youth Traditional Lion Dance Championship”, where a group of young talents demonstrated superb acrobatic skills on stage. The much-anticipated “Freestyle Lion Dance Championship – Taolu Movements on Poles” will present tomorrow (November 27), with a total of 9 troupes competing for top accolades this year.

The 9th “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Southern Lion Dance Invitational 2022” is co-organized by MGM and Wushu General Association of Macau, with the Dragon & Lion Dances Federation of Asia as advisory unit, and the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Sports Bureau, Macao Government Tourism Office, Education and Youth Development Bureau, Cultural Affairs Bureau, and Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association as supporting units.

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The 9th “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Southern Lion Dance Invitational 2022”

Schedule on November 27
 

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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 integrated resort of MGM in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, Asia’s first dynamic theater, 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. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. 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 only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.

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

Director of Public Relations

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3412

Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo

Karen Lam

Senior Corporate Relations Manager

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3421

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo