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At least 25 clubs from 14 countries have confirmed participation at the 1st Putrajaya International Dragon Boat Festival here from June 5 to 7, said Gillian Hung, a spokesperson for the organisers.
"More are expected to take part when entries close on April 30," she said in an interview here today.
The race is organised by Mega Events Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, Putrajaya Corporation and the Penang Dragon Boat Association.
Hung said Putrajaya had been chosen to host the event in view of the federal administrative capital's beautiful scenery and to help promote Putrajaya as a first-class water sports venue.
"It is not about the races alone. The festival will put Putrajaya in a carnival mood as many exciting events will also be held," she said, adding that the festival would also help generate business opportunities as more than 10,000 spectators were expected to show up.
Chin Keat Wen, managing director of Mega Events, said although dragon boat races began in China more than 2,000 years ago, as as a fertility rite to ensure bountiful harvests, they had gradually spread beyond Asia to Europe, North America, Australia and Africa as sporting events.
To be held at the Putrajaya Water Sports Centre in Presinct 6 here, the inaugural festival will feature 21 categories of races, including mixed teams comprising men and women rowers.
The races are either for crews of 22 or 12 and over distances of 500 metres or 2,000 metres. Details of the festival are available from www.putrajayadragonboat.com.