On Apr. 1st, the Interschool Dragon Boat Regatta 2012 of Trinidad and Tobago was held at Chaguaramas. A number of well-known local school teams took part in the race, competing for medals in the Boys, Girls and Mixed titles. Supporters of the different schools, namely teachers and parents joined in the demonstration races and were very well received.

H.E. Mr. Yang Youming, Chinese Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, and the Honourable Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, Minister of Education of Trinidad and Tobago, attended the event. They presented the prizes to the winners and made warm remarks respectively. Ambassador Yang conveyed his congratulations to all the winners. He said he was very glad to see the Dragon Boat race had become more popular in Trinidad and Tobago and more and more local people were joining in this traditional Chinese cultural event. He was very much impressed by the enthusiasm, professional skills and team work of the racers. Ambassador Yang thanked the organizers for all their efforts and wished them more successes with the event in the future. He said that Trinidad and Tobago enjoyed all things necessary for the development of the Dragon Boat race. He pledged that the Chinese Embassy would as always continue to provide support and assistance to the development of Dragon Boat events in Trinidad and Tobago.

Minister Gopeesingh said that the Dragon Boat, as a part of Chinese culture, had become very popular in Trinidad and Tobago. The government of Trinidad and Tobago would try to get more schools to take part in the event in the future.

Mr. Franco Siu Chong, Chairman of Pan-American Dragon Boat Association as well as sponsor and organizer of the event, also made his brief remarks.