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A total of eight teams from the New York City competitions held last week competed against dragon boat teams which won races carried out this summer in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Washington, DC, Hampton, VA, and Glen Cove, LI.
The New York City teams that competed today were: Dah Chong Hong, Chase Manhattan Bank, Metro-Asian Event, the Titans, Wall Street Lions Club, and three all- star teams comprised crew members from Deloitte & Touche and the Big Apple, the YMCA and Shanghai Commercial Bank, and AT&T and Wall Street Lions B-team.
The Fifth Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and the Hong Kong Association of New York. The HongkongBank Division of Marine Midland Bank serves as the Festival patron.
"I am delighted that the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival has become so well- established here in New York, and in other cities in the United States," said Hong Kong Commissioner, USA, Mr Barrie Wiggham, at the closing ceremony of the Festival.
"I hope through these cultural and sporting activities we can foster closer business, cultural and social ties between our communities."
"The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival has now become firmly established in New York's summer calendar of exciting events," said the Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Mr David Tsui.
"What began in 1991 as a race involving only 10 teams taking part has grown tremendously into a major sporting event involving about 50 teams and approximately 1,000 athletes competing in New York.
"We are proud to be able to bring this major sporting and cultural event to New York. Moreover, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, Inc, is also very instrumental in organising dragon boat races in other cities including Boston, Atlanta, and Glen Cove on Long Island."
He pointed out that teams are fielded by many Fortune 500 companies as well as other leading New York organisations such as the YMCA and the New York City Fire Department.
In addition to Hongkong Bank, corporate sponsors include such major firms as American Express TRS Co, AT&T, The Chase Manhattan Bank, NA, Citibank, NA, Coopers & Lybrand, LLP, Deloitte and Touche, LLP, Marine Midland Bank, and Yau Choy Lin.