80 teams from 22 countries participate in the 12th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta

KUCHING, Oct. 1: A total of 80 teams from 22 countries are expected to participate in the 12th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta taking place from October 23 to 25, 2026, with a total attendance of 2,450 people.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that seven categories were contested in this edition including two new categories namely Malaysia Closed Men 12's and International Senior Bs Open 12's.

According to him, the new category gives a difference when it comes to participation of participants aged 50 and over.

"The total prize money for the event is RM200,000, plus trophies and medals.

"Participation includes representatives from several states and territories in Malaysia including Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, besides the Prime Minister's Department.

"The participants were from seven new countries: Liechtenstein, Vietnam, Cambodia, Argentina, Fiji, Moldova and Mexico", he said.

He said so at the Sarawak Regatta Committee Media Conference and Surrender of Cura Penaja Checks in Kuching, today.

The seven competing categories are the International Premier Open 20's, the International Premier Open 12's, the International Premier Mixed 20's, the International Premier Women 12's, the International Senior Bs Open 12's, the International Cancer Survivors 12's and the Malaysia Closed Men 12's.

The 12th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta is among the main events of the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival 2026 which takes place from 23 October to 1 November in Sarawak River Bank, Kuching.

The Eye-Dotting and symbolic surrender ceremony of the Sarawak Regatta is scheduled to take place on 23 October and will be completed by the Prime Minister of Sarawak, His Highness Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

During the 10-day event, Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival 2026 will also feature a variety of activities, including Arts Forum which includes Se-Borneo Cultural Night, Sound of Borneo, Kids Got Talent, Waterfront Idol, Sarawak Got Talent, Battle of the Band and Ethnic Dress Design.

Each cultural competition also offers cash prizes to the winners.

In addition, Sarawak's Entrepreneur Showcase, the Sarawak Borneo Kraf Festival and the Sarawak Malay Gendang Festival were also organized, with various fillings including a curling performance, Sarawak's Malay drums, sape music instrument play, buskers group performances as well as Sarawak ethnic culture shows.-TVS