A Myanmar traditional boat-rowing competition was flagged off at 10 am on 9 September in Meiktila Town as part of the 136th Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Buddha Pujaniya Festival, and attracted huge crowds from nearby towns and villages and visitors from across the country.
District Administrator U Thet Lwin explained the objective behind celebrating the event. Afterwards, regional Hluttaw representative U Aung Kyaw Moe, U Thet Lwin, and U Soe Naing Htwe, the Deputy Chairman of the Phaung Daw Oo pagoda trustee group, opened the ceremony by cutting the ceremonial ribbons. The competition will be held till 14 September, and will feature two types of races — senior and junior boat races. Six teams will compete in the senior boat rowing contest and 22 teams will participate in the junior boat race. Fourteen races will be held every day as part of the competition, with each team competing in three rounds per race. Teams winning two rounds in a race would be declared winners.
The Phaung Daw Oo pagoda festival in Meiktila Town has been thronged with spectators since the first day of the competition. The final round of the boat race will take place at the end of the festival, and officials will award prizes to winning teams.
Chan Thar (Meiktila)
(Translated by La Wonn)
