Close race to the finish

The Prime Minister’s Cup Challenge, the finale of the two-day Singapore Dragon Boat Festival ending on 24 July, kicked off after a delay due to inclement weather. The Challenge represents a highly coveted race where university teams battle it out in the 1000m race. Guest-of-Honour Mr Ong Ye Kung was present at the occasion to lend support to the student paddlers and present the awards.

Facing extremely strong competitors from the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Institute of Management and Singapore Management University, both the NUS Dragon Boat Men’s and Women’s teams put in their most tenacious efforts to emerge first runners-up. Despite their valiant effort, the Men’s team missed the Championship title by a mere fraction of a second.

Mr Ong interacting with members of the NUS Dragon Boat Women’s team

Captain of the Men’s Dragon Boat team Phoon Jun Jie stressed that the team gave its all, and had no regrets for the hard work and grueling training invested. The 26-member team had also come in second in the earlier DB22 Tertiary Open category race on 23 July.

The Dragon Boat Festival took place this year at Marina Channel for the first time, against the backdrop of the Singapore skyline and Gardens by the Bay.

The NUS Dragon Boat Men’s team warming up for the race