Dah Sing Financial : 2019 World Rowing Coastal Championships presented by Dah Sing Bank

Press Release

[For Immediate Release]

2019 World Rowing Coastal Championships presented by Dah Sing Bank to be held on 1-3 November

Top coastal rowers from around the world to compete in Victoria Harbour

Hong Kong becomes the first host city in Asia

(Hong Kong, 17 September 2019) Hong Kong China Rowing Association (HKCRA) today announced that the 2019 World Rowing Coastal Championships (2019 WRCC) will be held at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong from 1 to 3 November 2019 with the full support of Dah Sing Bank. HKCRA today announced the race details and introduced the event sponsors, as well as supporting organisations, at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC).

HKCRA is honoured to welcome Dah Sing Bank as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2019 WRCC. The event is also supported by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club as the Venue & Delivery Partner and Lead-up & Legacy Partner, as well as The Tung Foundation as education programme sponsor. Other supporting partners include "Star" Ferry, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and the WWF. The 2019 WRCC is also recognised as an "M" Mark event by the Major Sports Events Committee.

Inaugurated in 2007, the annual World Rowing Coastal Championships has until now mostly been held in Europe, with the exceptions of Lima, Peru in 2015 and Victoria, Canada in 2018, and in most cases with race courses in more natural environments. The year is the first time ever the 2019 WRCC is held in Asia, and crews will race on a course situated in the middle of one of the most exciting urban environments in the world. It is expected that the race will attract top coastal rowers from around the world to compete on the challenging but spectacular race course in Victoria Harbour. With the ongoing traffic of a working harbour continuing alongside the races, including ferries and other commercial vessels, rowers' techniques will be put to a stern test.

The 2019 WRCC is composed of seven events, comprising Coastal Men's and Women's Solo (1 rower), Coastal Men's and Women's Double Sculls (2 rowers), Coastal Men's and Women's Quadruple Coxed Sculls (4 rowers plus coxswain) and Coastal Mixed Double Sculls (2 rowers, 1 man 1 woman). Each race will have a maximum of 16 boats to race from the start line, off the RHKYC (Kellett Island), to Central Pier 10 then turning close to the shore the boats will return past the Central harbourfront and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and cross the finishing line close to the RHKYC.

The theme for the upcoming World Championships is Let's Row 'n' Rock, with the aim of promoting the 2019 WRCC, as well as the excitement of coastal rowing to the general public in Hong Kong. Apart from enjoying the races along the Central harbourfront, HKCRA will organise a series of education and entertaining activities under "World Champ Festival" near the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. In addition to creating public awareness and interest in the sport, HKCRA would also like to embrace local and overseas spectators with the rhythm and vividness of coastal rowing in this urban setting. As part of the sponsorship by Dah Sing Bank, the Committee have invited a group of youngsters from the Sports Legacy Scheme to participate for free in the Rowing Training and Rowing Experience Day at Victoria Harbour, so as to help promote rowing as a sport and to give back to the local community.

The 2019 WRCC presented by Dah Sing Bank is a truly world-class event in which Hong Kong can take great pride in being the first ever host venue in Asia in this competition's history. Hong Kong - fast-paced, vibrant and highly efficient - is the ideal backdrop for rowing - a sport that is based on maintaining a perfect beat and rhythm. We are delighted that the 2019 WRCC has been recognised as an "M" Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia's sports event capital. The "M" Mark, awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolises intense, spectacular and signature events in Hong Kong's sports calendar.

"FISA, the World Rowing Federation, has been actively promoting coastal rowing internationally, and is preparing to submit a proposal to the International Olympic Committee for coastal rowing to become a discipline of the rowing programme at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. We hope the 2019 WRCC will help boost wider interest of coastal rowing in Hong Kong, Asia, and the world." said Mr. Mike Tanner, Chairman of the Organising Committee of 2019 WRCC and Chairman of

HKCRA.

"Dah Sing Bank is excited and honoured to be the presenting sponsor for the 2019 World Rowing Coastal Championship. Victoria Harbour symbolises Hong Kong's tenacity as a city to thrive and excel continuously, so it offers a very befitting setting for rowing, which is a highly demanding and competitive sport that requires endurance and meticulous teamwork from its athletes. As a local bank with deep roots in Hong Kong, Dah Sing Bank is committed to supporting the communities we serve and nurturing our younger generation - to inspire them to realise their talents, overcome challenges and capture opportunities for a better tomorrow. We believe that the 2019 WRCC offers a great platform for us to deliver on our corporate social responsibility mission. We also believe that the competitive spirit, fierce teamwork and passion for excellence of this international rowing event will enhance Hong Kong's vitality and eminence as Asia's world city" said Mr. Harold Wong, Managing Director & Chief Executive of Dah Sing Bank, Limited.

As the host city, the Hong Kong Rowing Team will be sending 14 representatives to participate in the Race. "It is not very often we can participate in worldwide, global events here in Hong Kong, we shall grab this opportunity and try to achieve the best possible results," said Hong Kong team member Lee Ka-man.

For more information about 2019 WRCC, please visit the official website at www.wrcc2019.com, or Official Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/WRCC2019.

Please click on the link below to download more photos

https://bit.ly/2lWTEpC

About The World Rowing Federation (FISA)

The World Rowing Federation, FISA (from the French, Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron) is the governing body of the sport of rowing. It is empowered by its 155 member National Rowing Federations, the National Olympic Committees and the International Olympic Committee to govern the sport of rowing.

FISA sets the rules and regulations for the practice of the sport, in all its forms including elite, para-rowing, coastal, masters and aspects of indoor rowing. FISA oversees sanctioned World Rowing events and provides advice and expertise for the organisation of rowing regattas. The Federation also works on coaching education and other matters relating to the sport and its development.

About Hong Kong China Rowing Association (HKCRA)

The Hong Kong China Rowing Association (HKCRA) was established in 1978 and is the governing body for the sport of rowing in Hong Kong. It is affiliated to the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and to the Asian Rowing Federation (ARF) and World Rowing Federation (FISA).

The HKCRA operates two rowing centres adjoining the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin. They are Sha Tin Rowing Centre and Jockey Club Shek Mun Rowing Centre, located at Fo Tan and at Shek Mun respectively. Most Hong Kong rowing clubs are based at these two Centres for regular training and competition. Sha Tin Rowing Centre also serves as the official headquarters and administrative offices of the Association.

The HKCRA has entitled and organized different types of promotion and development programmes and activities including Youth Development Programme, Para-rowing Programme, Indoor Rowing for Schools Programme and Coastal rowing activities, aiming to expand the sport of rowing at community level for different people with the ultimate goal to achieve rowing for all.

About Dah Sing Bank

Dah Sing Bank, Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dah Sing Banking Group (HKG:2356) which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Founded in Hong Kong over 70 years ago, Dah Sing Bank has been providing quality banking products and services to our customers with a vision to be "The Local Bank with a Personal Touch". Over the years, the Bank has been rigorous in delivering on our brand promise to grow with our customers in Hong Kong, the Pearl River Delta and beyond - "Together We Progress and Prosper". Building on our experience and solid foundation in the industry, the Bank's scope of professional services now spans retail banking, private banking, business and commercial banking, with 45 branches

operating throughout Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the Bank is also making significant investments in our digital banking capabilities to stay abreast with smart banking developments in Hong Kong and to support financial inclusion at large.

In addition to its Hong Kong banking operations, Dah Sing Bank also has wholly owned subsidiaries including Dah Sing Bank (China) Limited, Banco Commercial de Macau, and OK Finance Limited. It is also a strategic shareholder of Bank of Chongqing with a shareholding of about 15%.