[August 23, 2016, Macau] MGM hosted a press conference for the “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Macau International Invitational 2016” and Graduation Ceremony for the second Junior Lion Dance Training Program today at MGM MACAU’s Grand Ballroom. MGM announced November 12 and 13 as the date for the Championship, introducing Macau’s first Female Traditional Lion Dance Championship. The initiatives are launched with the objective to pass on the culture and tradition of this Chinese sport to a wider audience, especially to the local younger generations.

The “MGM Lion Dance Championship – Macau International Invitational 2016” is co-hosted by Wushu General Association of Macau and supported by the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and Dragon & Lion Dances Federation of Asia; while the Junior Lion Dance Training Program is a collaboration with Macau Hong Wai Sports and Recreations Association and supported by MGTO, the Sports Bureau, and Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ). Guests of Honor in attendance at the event were Mr. Chan Weng Kit, President of Wushu General Association of Macau and Chairman of Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia; Mr. Chow Chi Man, Chairman of Macau Hong Wai Sports and Recreations Association; Mr. Wu Iao Ut, Head of Sports Associations Support Division of Sports Bureau; Ms. Nicole Tong, Head of Business Tourism and Events Division of MGTO; Mr. Kong Ngai, Chief of Division of Continuing Education of DSEJ and Mr. Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Ltd.

The announcement of the sixth MGM Lion Dance Championship was commenced with the sounds of the traditional Chinese drum playing loudly by Mr. Grant Bowie, while the Guests of Honor hit the gongs and cymbals by his sides. The first class of the Junior Lion Dance Training Program graduates joined the professional lion troups to give the public a cheerful performance afterwards and received very warm acclaims. Hosting at the Grande Praça on November 12 and 13, the two-day action-packed Championship will be running Macau’s first Female Traditional Lion Dance Championship with a rating system of international standard. In addition, renowned lion dance troupes from all over the world will fiercely battle it out for the championship with their awe-inspiring moves and acrobatic stunts at this two-day sporting event.

A certificate presentation session was then hosted to congratulate the fresh graduates of the second class of Junior Lion Dance Training Program which took place over the past eight weeks. A total of 75 graduates aged between 5 and 10 were presented with certificates and souvenirs by the Guests of Honor, and the joyous occasion concluded with a dynamic lion dance performance by these bright young graduates, all decked in costumes and armed with full sets of props. Their coach, parents and guests watched in amazement while cheering them on during the lively experience.

At the event, Mr. Grant Bowie said, “We have consistently promoted this significant piece of Chinese culture over the past years and we are proud to bring these initiatives to a higher level as it becomes a sport that is recognized internationally. Through this event, we further showcase Macau as a world leisure destination with diversified offerings and dynamic experiences available to audiences of all sorts, while grooming our youth to the essence of Chinese heritage.”

Mr. Chan Weng Kit thanked MGM and other parties for hosting and supporting the annual Lion Dance Championship once again, “MGM has made a significant contribution towards the development of lion dance. This auspicious and joyous event has vigorously helped promote the tourism and economic diversification in Macau."

MGM will continue to support the development of cultural and sports events of Macau by rolling out the Lion Dance Championship and the Junior Lion Dance Training Program annually, in hopes of passing on the culture and tradition of this Chinese sport to local young generations and making sports more fun and accessible to all ages of the community.

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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 8,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and eight 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 HK$24billion project is expected to open in second quarter of 2017. 

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 & Communication Relations

MGM                                                                                                                                                        

Tel: (853) 8802 2822                                                         

Email: irenewong@mgm.mo

 

Karen Lam                                                                                            

Assistant Public Relations Manager                                                 

MGM                                                                                      

Tel: (853) 8802 3801                                                                         

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo                                             

 

Juliana Kung             

Assistant Public Relations Manager                                                 

MGM                                                                              

Tel: (853) 8802 3803                                                                         

Email: julianakung@mgm.mo