Ngo boat race is a traditional sport of the Khmer on the Ooc Om Bok Festival. (photo: Thach Hong)

The Ngo boat race, one of the main activities of the Festival, will take place next Thursday and Friday, featuring 60 teams competing on the Maspero River in Soc Trang city. Local pagodas have been decorated for the Festival.

Thach Hien, a representative of the Management Board of Dom Om Pul pagoda, said: “The pagoda’s monks and executive board have built a new boat to participate in the boat race. We will select the best athletes. So far about 120 people have joined our training.”

The Ngo boat race is a sport of community spirit and has special cultural and religious meaning to the Khmer.