Guangzhou Asian Games

With the Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam in 2009, and the acceptance of Dancesport into the Asian Games in 2010, there may be a likelihood that Dancesport will eventually be dropped from the Asian Indoor Games series. It is the wish of all Dancesport enthusiast and supporters that Dancesport be in as many Olympic Family Games as possible and finally one day we hope it will make it into the Olympics.

At the Annual General Meeting in Macau 2009, that was the aim of IDSF , to make Dancesport part of the Olympic Games. Compare to Golf or Rugby, Dancesport is relatively new, in the sense that it was only recognised as a sport in 1999. The term Dancesport (one word) is a newly coined term to described what was formerly called Ballroom. Not that the term Ballroom dancing has been dropped, in the social context it is still referred to as Ballroom dancing.

Okay a little trivia about the Asian Indoor Games. The Olympic Council of Malaysia will be sending four (4) couples to represent Malaysia in the 3rd Asian Indoor Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. Two couples for Latin American event and two couples for Standard permitted. The latest we were informed that Michael & Janet our 1st Latin ranked couple cannot go for the Games because Janet who is currently in England cannot make it back home for the Games. It would be good if OCM can consider sending the 3nd ranked couple Chua Czen Fong and Evon to replace them. All the same we wish them all the best and may they have a good time in Vietnam. The Asian Indoor Games is not an easy competition. We would be very proud of our athletes if they can make it into the semi finals.

Okay what I would like to tell you a bit is the Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010. There will be a total of 10 gold medals in contention. The Games will be in November 2010. What I want to highlight to you is the arrangement of events in the Asian Games. It is a departure from the Asian Indoor Games in Bangkok 2005 and Macau 2007.

The 10 medal are as follows :-

For Latin , the 5 dance event, Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Paso Doble and Jive. For Standard the 5 dance event, followed by Waltz, Quickstep, Tango and Fox Trot. Notice if you will they have excluded Rumba and Viennese Waltz as a single medal event . However in the 5 dance event you still have Viennese Waltz and Rumba.

We will be discussing about preparation for Guangzhou 2010 and we need to have a plan if we are seriously going to Guangzhou. Malaysia will have to send the best Team and this call for sacrifice from the athletes. Our goal is very modest , just bring back a medal from the Asian Games. This will be a boost to dancesport for Malaysia.

We need to be noticed by the National Sports Council. In 2011 the next SEA Games will be in Bandung, Indonesia. In Indonesia, Team Dancesport Malaysia must bring back some gold medals. There is no if or buts and failure is not an option.

P.S. We understand that the technical committee of Dancesport is under the International Federation governing the sport , that is IDSF/ADSF. We are informed by ADSF that Malaysia have no representative in their organisation. The Olympic Council of Malaysia is sending a Team under their banner, we do hope OCM will pay for all their expenses or at least subsidise for the athletes.