MEDIA RELEASES
For Immediate Release
‘MGM Lion Dance Championship 2015 – Macau International Invitational’ Kicks Off Today
China Team Ranks Highest with Score of 9.25
[Macau – November 14, 2015] The fifth “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Macau International Invitational 2015”, co-hosted with Wushu General Association of Macau and supported by Macau Sport Development Board, Macau Government Tourist Office and Dragon & Lion Dances Federation of Asia, kicked off today. The Championship, one of the world’s top lion dance competitions, is a two-day event which takes place at Grande Praça of MGM MACAU amid roaring cheers and applause.
The Opening Ceremony of the Championship took place at 2:15pm today, and was officiated by Mr. Wang Lujiao, Director of The Department of Culture and Education of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macau SAR; Mr. Wu Iao Ut, Head of Sport Association and Training Support Division of Macau Sport Development Board; Mr. Cheng Wai Tong, Deputy Director of Macau Government Tourist Office; Mr. Kelvin Ho, Vice-Chairman of Wushu General Association of Macau; Mr. Chao Chi Man, Honorary Chairman of The Organizing Committee of MGM Lion Dance Championship and Mr. Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited at Grande Praça. During the ceremony, an energetic lion dance performance was presented by the graduates of the “Junior Lion Dance Training Program” which surprised and delighted every guest present.
At the event, Mr. Grant Bowie thanked the Macau Government, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macau SAR, Macau Sport Development Board, Macau Government Tourist Office and the Wushu General Association of Macau for their continuous support to MGM which helped to make the event successful over the years. “This year marks the fifth anniversary of MGM Lion Dance Championship and we have introduced the Junior Lion Dance Program specifically to help pass on this significant piece of Chinese culture to the younger generations. Through this Championship, and the many other diversified events that we organize, we hope to bring Macau to the world, while bringing the world to Macau,” Mr. Bowie added.
This year, 15 world-renowned male lion dance troupes will strive for the throne of Champion in Macau, while eight female lion dance troupes will be competing for the win in the Female Lion Dance Performance Competition. The competitive teams are from China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, The Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. After the first round of fierce battle, the Foshan Nanhai Huangfeihong Zhonglian Cable Lion Dragon and Martial Art Association from China is the leading troupe in the male category, with a score of 9.25.
The judging panel is made up of professional judges from Wushu General Association of Macau and one professional judge from each of the participating teams, same as previous years. Following the international rules and regulations created by the International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation in 2011, all participating teams will be required to finish different themed forms of movement within 7 to 10 minutes, demonstrating vivid gestures and expressions of the lion. The judging criteria will base on overall specification, art performance and difficulty of the footwork. Each team’s final score will be the average of the scores in the two-day event.
The second day of the Championship will commence Sunday with the highly anticipated Female Lion Dance Performance Competition. A total of eight female lion dance troupes will amuse the crowd with feminine movements in robust forms. The final round of the male category will be held in the afternoon, and the audience can expect an intense performance as the troupes flaunt their swift, well synchronized movements and skilled techniques on the poles. The Closing Ceremony and Award Presentation at the end of the day will be the finale of the event.
Locals and tourists are welcome to experience the excitement of this splendid cultural sports event, performed by international elite lion dance teams at Grande Praça. Admission is free.
MGM Lion Dance Championship – Macau International Invitational 2015
Top Five Ranking of First Round Competition
|
1st Round Ranking |
Team |
Score |
|
1 |
Foshan Nanhai Huangfeihong Zhonglian Cable Lion Dragon and Martial Art Association |
9.25 |
|
2 |
China Guangdong Zhaoqing Electricity Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe |
9.21 |
|
3 |
Malaysia Khuan Loke Dragon & Liong Dance Association |
9.15 |
|
4 |
Associação Desportiva e Recreativa Hong Wai de Macau |
9.10 |
|
5 |
Indonesian Dragon & Lion Dance Federation |
9.10 |
Agenda
Second Round Competition on November 15
|
Time |
Rundown |
|
10:00 - 12:00 |
Female Lion Dance Performance Competition |
|
12:00 - 16:45 |
Second Round Competition of Male Lion Dance Troupes |
|
16:45 – 17:30 |
Award Presentation |
###
About MGM China
MGM China (HKEx: 2282) 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 the world’s largest gaming market, Macau.
MGM MACAU is a 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 an Art Space dedicating over 8,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, an award-winning spa, and nine 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 designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, plans to offer approximately 1,500 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 our 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. The US$3 billion project is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2016.
MGM China 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 more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Irene Wong
Vice President of Public & Community Relations
MGM China
Tel: (853) 8802 2822
Email: irenewong@mgmchina.com.mo
Karen Lam Juliana Kung
Assistant Public Relations Manager Assistant Public Relations Manager
MGM China MGM China
Tel: (853) 8802 3801 Tel: (853) 8802 3803
Email:karenlam@mgmchina.com.mo Email: julianakung@mgmchina.com.mo
