The Asian Rowing Championships will consist of 17 events under four major categories--single, double, four-person and eight-person races. Taiwanese rowers will compete in 15 events, according to Wang Ming-chuan, CEO of Chinese Taipei Amateur Rowing Association, which co-organized the event.

Taiwan's medal hopeful Wang Ming-hui, the only rower who represented Taiwan in the 2008 Olympic Games, will compete in the men's single sculls, according to the CEO.

Taiwan's male competitors will be mainly from National Taiwan Sport University and Taipei Physical Education College, while female competitors will be mainly from Fu Jen Catholic University.

The junior championships will consist of 11 events, with Taiwan slated to compete in 10 events.

Two teams from Neihu Vocational High School are the country's medal hopefuls in the men's coxless four and women's quadruple scull races, Wang Ming-chuan said.

He added that President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Wu Den-yih will attend the opening of the championships slated for Nov. 3 at the water park.

Nearly 500 rowers from 18 countries and regions, including China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Qatar and Uzbekistan will compete in the races, according to Wang. Wang Li-fang, an official of the Yilan County government, said that the county hopes through hosting the rowing championships, Dongshan River will become more popular with local residents and tourists. Yilan was the host of the 7th Asian Rowing Championships and the 8th Asian Junior Rowing Championships in 2002, Wang added.

(By Ling Wan-ting and Y.L. Kao)