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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Urban Council :

Following a day-long competitions today (Saturday), eight lion dance troupes successfully entered the finals of the "Hong Kong Provisional Urban Council (PUC) Lion Dance Invitation Tournament '99" to be held tomorrow (Sunday) evening in the Hong Kong Coliseum.

The eight finalists are :

1.Kun Seng Keng Association (Malaysia);

2.Singapore Cheng Jing Hui Dragon & Lion Dance

Troupe;

3.Huang Feihong Lion Dance and Kong Fu Center

(China);

4.Ha Hon Hung Sport Assn. Ha Kwok Cheung

Lion Team (Hong Kong);

5.Chow Hon Hing Dragon & Lion Dance Assn.

Keung Wai Hong Lion (Hong Kong);

6.Meng Kok Lion Dance Assoication (Malaysia);

7.Luk Che Fu Martial Arts Federation Lion Dance

Team (Hong Kong); and

8.Nam Wah Pai Kang Kar Pulai Johor Martial Arts

Assn Lion Dance Team (Malaysia).

All participating troupes are already the champions of their own countries or regions. They come to Hong Kong to compete for the highest honour in the world. Each team is required to perform a 10 to 12 minute dance with a plot including a 'plucking the green' action to demonstrate their skills.

The Champion of the Tournament will emerge from the grand final to be held tomorrow (Sunday) at 7 pm at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

The biennial Tournament is jointly organised by the PUC and the Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association. Tickets priced at $20, $40 and $150 are still available at all URBTIX outlets.

End/Saturday, January 16, 1999

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