2013 Hong Kong Grand Slam 11/12 May 2013

This report is not about the Grand Slam in Hong Kong that was held on the 12 th and 13th of May 2013. However this report is about one of our Malaysian couple that took part in the Grand Slam but more important their performance at the Asia Closed Latin event held on the 12th of May 2013. The couple I am referring to is Malaysia top Latin American couple Chua Zjen Fong & Evon Chong.Both Chua and Evon have different dancing back ground, Chua was a Wushu exponent who trade his sword and stick for the dance artistry and music of Latin American dances. Evon as I recall have always been a serious and dedicated dancer. A couple of years ago both Chua and Evon decided to leave Malaysia and enrolled in a top dance school in China to hone their skills in Guangzhou. They learned under many international European coaches and top Chinese coaches. Today they have a studio of their own and have a strong following where they freely share their knowledge with their students. If you have the skill and ready to learn the finer points of Latin dancing , they are more than prepared to impart their knowledge to you. Latin Dancing is not static , one have to keep up with the latest trend and Chua and Evon still keep in touch  by taking lessons from any good coaches that comes their way.  So what is so great for me to Blog on this couple apart from the fact that they are the top Latin couple in Malaysia? The answer is their performance recently at the Asia Closed Latin.  In Asia the power house in Latin American are China , South Korea and Japan. In this event 10 Asian countries took part with 27 couples in contention. Chua and Evon not only made it to the finals but came out 4th place. Never in the history of Malaysian Dancesport has any couple ever made it to the finals and he miss just 1 place to win a medal. We have sceptics that says perhaps the judges may not be that fair , but let me tell you this the judges that marked this event are the Grand slam judges and they are from Australia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong , Netherlands , Russia , South Korea , Thailand , China and Malaysia. To Chua and Evon Malaysia acknowledge your achievement and MYDF congratulate you for your sterling performance.

           Below are Chua and Evon with their students who did fairly well in the Latin American event.

Ayam Beg!

Hello everyone , this Blog just went dead since 2012 , I had some medical problems regarding my eyes and I am now so much better.
There are some interesting news that has been circulating in town lately regarding OCM, Apparently sometimes in June OCM is going to have their Annual General meeting and and an insider told me that they expect to see some changes in their line up. Whatever I think it is time those who has reached their expired shelf life should step down and allow new people to take over .
This is also to inform you that MYDF is still not a member of OCM because according to OCM , MDSB is already their member.Well we cannot deal with that issue too much , we shall leave it to the new Sports Commissioner to tackle this issue.
.I am sorry for the long hiatus and I was gently reminded that my Blog is gathering cob web, there are interesting features in Blogger that I intend to learn and hope to bring more short interesting news to you soon. Apologies , I am much better now.

The Malaysia Dancesport Challenge Trophy 2012 -2013

Left - Latin American Challenge trophy                             Right- Standard Challenge trophy.   

The search for the best Malaysian Dancesport athletes to represent the country kicked off on the 9th of June 2012 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. THE MYDF Executive committee decided to hold 5 Malaysia Championships, and the couple that wins the most Championships out of the 5 will get to keep the trophy permanently.
MYDF is a sport body and to those who are not aware we are registered with the Sports Commissioner under the Sports Development Act. We are also affiliated to the National Sports Council and the National Sports Institute.
Dancesport or Ballroom dancing has been around the Malaysian social scene for a long time. It is not wrong to say that this started off as a social avocation when the British ruled Malaya for a short period of time. It was in the year 2000, Dancesport was introduced to the International Olympic Committee ( IOC). Juan Antonio Samaranch the Olympic boss saw the potential of Dancesport that he admitted Dancesport to join the Olympic family. Now take note, it is not an Olympic Game yet but being in the Olympic family, the sport grew to be a medal event in related family Olympic games like the East Asian Games , the Asian Indoor Games , the Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games; Asian Games and locally in South East Asia , it was a medal event at the 2005 SEA Games in Cebu Philippines and the 2007 Korat SEA Games in Thailand.
Tasked to carry out the promotion of Dancesport is the International Dancesport Federation ( IDSF) and IDSF is accepted as an international Federation governing Dancesport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). With this impetus Dancesport grew with many countries in the world applying for member ship with their National Olympic Council.
With IDSF being the only body governing Dancesport many other dance discipline applied to join IDSF. On the advice of the IOC , in the year 2010, IDSF changed their name to the World Dancesport Federation. The purpose is to be all inclusive of other dance discipline like the Wheel Chair Dancesport, Rock & Roll. Western and Country line Dance and many more. Each of these discipline with the help of WDSF formulate their own rules under the umbrella of WDSF.
Coming back to Malaysia the National Sports Association( NSA) governing Dancesport is Malaysia Dancesport Association (MYDF). We approached Dancesport as a Sport and by that we have our set of rules regulations and protocols as laid down by WDSF. As a member of WADA, enhancing drug to boost performance is a major sin and athletes caught using banned substance will be disciplined. This has happened before and all you need is go to WDSF website at wdsf.org.
To parents who would like their children to partake in Dancesport, examine your priorities first. Ask yourself whether you would like your children to approach dancesport as a fun time , social skills activity for your child rather than a sport. If indeed that is your aim there are many dance school you can go to.
However if you are approaching it as a sport, you are well advised to send your children to MYDF accredited dance school. We do not have a certification of Dance school but speak to them of your intentions that you are interested to bring your children to participate Dance as a sport.
MYDF believe that sporting principles  such as fair play , honesty, integrity are important values in inculcating the young minds to be future dancesport athletes.
You may not believe it , the coveted Challenge trophy in the previous Championship was not returned to MYDF for the next Championship. That couple love the trophy so much that they think winning a championship give them the right to keep the trophy. Now to MYDF this is dishonest and unsporting conduct. Obviously they are uneducated and does not understand the meaning of challenge trophy. These dancers are what MYDF do not want, they are a bad example to the young athletes and a poor mentor to the up and coming.
The two (2) challenge trophies you see are for the Latin American and the Standard category of Dancesport for this 2012 - 2013 season.                         
                    

Evidence (Amendment) (No.2) Act 2012

Dear all,

In the light of the new amendments of the Evidence Act 2012 , it will affect all Bloggers and internet users. The Law basically state that if you were to post on the Blog defamatory of say Mr. A, I the Blog owner is responsible for the postiong although it is your views. If you were to post something defamatory on your friend's iPhone or iPad , the owner of the iPad is responsible for such posting although the owner of the iPad is not the maker of the Statement.
As such I will have to verify your posting and it will not be an open posting. I am sorry I am always in support of freedom of speech and expression within limits.    

SBDTA

This is to inform you that the Singapore Ballroom Dance Teachers Association ( SBDTA) recently had their annual general meeting, and a new President was elected. Ms. Josephine Tan of John and Josephine Dance Creative have taken the reigns from the Low family.
The SBDTA is one on the older dance association in Singapore and started in 1980 by Mr. Sunny Low , the reign was then passed over to Ms Alena Tan the spouse of Sunny Low. The Association has been under the control of the Low Family for almost 32 years until now.
We in MYDF would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Ms. Josephine Tan nee. Liew and we do hope you can bring SBDTA to a new direction in Singapore.
A little information that I am able to extract about Josephine and her husband John Tan. Both of them has been dancing for more than 20 years.
They turn professional in 1995 and they have their own Dance Studio of John and Josephine Dance Creative. Through their dancing they have contributed to many charitable organizations. At the turn of the Millennium they started The Singapore Millennium International Dancesport Championships and since then it has been an annual event. Mr. John Tan is an active member of WDSF and is a licensed International WDSF adjudicator.                  

4th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games 2013

The 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2013 will be held in Incheon, South Korea from the 29th June till 6th July 2013. The picture you see is the mascot for the the AIMAG and also the 17th Asian Games in 2014 that will be held in Seoul. The mascot are harbour seals that are found near an Island in the Korean Peninsular. Their names are Vichoun (light), Barame (Wind) and Chumuro (Light).
Dancesport will be featured in this AIMAG 2013 but not in the 17th Asian Games.
Malaysia DanceSport Federation (MYDF) is the National Sports Association (NSA) representing Dancesport in Malaysia. We are accepted because we are recognised by WDSF the International Federation representing Dancesport. This AIMAG is organised under the auspice of the Olympic Council of Asia ( OCA). 2009/2010 was the turbulent years for MYDF. We started of as Malaysian Professional Dancesport Council (MPDC), our role is limited to professionals event only. We were than asked by IDSF (as it was called then) to handle the amateur. The reason being, Dancesport being in the Olympic Family Games and the World Games; are not concern over the status of amateur or professional. We made an application to change the name of our body to truly reflect our status. It caused such a ruckus that we were not allowed to change our name by the Sports Commissioner office and they wanted proof that the International Federation ( IF) had in fact combined the amateur and professional together. This happened in Vienna in 2009 and like they say the rest is history.
Since then we were only provisional member of WDSF and we have remained so for the last 3 years. We are happy to announce that this year we are admitted as a full member of WDSF and also ADSF.
As the NSA for Dancesport we applied to join OCM in 2009, unfortunately our application was turned down for various reasons which is not important. Now that MYDF is registered with the Sports Commissioner's office and a full member of WDSF and ADSF. We will attempt to register our body as an Associate member of OCM. We do hope this time our application will be considered and hopefully we can send a full team for the AIMAG 2013 based on our selection.
We are also happy to announce that under MYDF there are 7 State body registered with the Sports Commissioners office. They are from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka, Johore and Pahang. Pending registration now are Negri Sembilan, Perak, Pulau Pinang and Kedah. There are no applications from Kelantan and Trengganu.
For the year 2012/2013 MYDF will be holding 5 National Championships. A challenge trophy will be presented to the overall winner. Speaking of Challenge trophy it is regrettable and shameful that in the previous Championship a couple after coming out 1st in a competition claims the trophy for themselves and refused to return the same. It is such unsportsmanship behaviour that MYDF deplores and we are confident that such incident will not happen again.                                                          

MYDF Final Ranking Championships 2010/2011

The Malaysian Dancesport Federation (MYDF) had their final Grade A ranking in Muar on the 23rd of December 2011. It was a happy event and the results to determine Malaysia Best Dancesport athletes for the Grade A Latin American and Standard will be decided at this final competition.
The 2 Grade A trophies are as appearing in the picture on the Left. The one on the left is the Standard and the one on the right is the the Latin American. Both the trophies were donated by the then Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports  Dato Wee Jeck Seng who personally donated his own personal funds to the then MPDC, now MYDF. MYDF came about 2 years ago when we were asked to change the name to reflect that the organisation will be managing both the Professional and Amateur event in Dancesport.
The Latin American section of the ranking series encountered some minor problems to some, but to MYDF , it is a serious breach of misconduct. It short the 1st Winner refused to return the Challenge Trophy to be given at the 2nd Malaysian Dancesport Federation Ranking to the Winner. I shall not go into the reasons but whatever reasons it may be, they do not understand the meaning of challenge trophy but decided to keep it as their own.
Be that as it may this incident serves as a lessons to all our MYDF dancesport athletes. Certainly it is nice to win and better still if you can be crowned the Champion and lift the Challenge trophy to acknowledge your ability. A challenge trophy means exactly that, you do not keep it permanently unless you are able to prove your worth by defending your Championship status in three championship.
As sportsmen we in MYDF expect a degree of honesty and integrity in our athletes, we do not want dishonest sportsmen in our organisation. What is the point of keeping the trophy when you live under a delusion that you are the best in Malaysia when in fact you cover you head in shame in keeping something that you ill deserve. It is not only shameful it is just plain dishonest. MYDF may be able to forgive such behavior but we will NOT FORGET.
The true champion in this season Championship is Chua Czen Fong and Evon Chong. They won two out of the three (3) Competitions. As Sports Director I regret and I apologise to this couple that we were not able to pass the challenge trophy to them at the 2nd Championship. However as a responsible organisation MYDF have to honour the contribution by the then Deputy Sports Minister YB Dato Wee Jeck Seng in getting another Latin American Challenge trophy done up.

As the National Sports Association (NSA) for Dancesport we are glad and proud to have such sporting couple to be a Champion. They are going to be the mentor to the younger couples in dancesport and I have spoken to Czen Fong on the values of good sportsmanship, honesty and integrity as a top athlete in Dancesport in Malaysia.
Czen Fong and Evon has dedicated their life in Dancesport, so dedicated are they that they left the shores of Malaysia to register themselves in a dance school in China that specialises in training Dancesport athletes. Their passion in dance and their dedication can be seen by their perseverance. Their results in the Asia Pacific competition are testimony for all to see.
What is store for our top couple? Well certainly they will represent Malaysia in all games that have dancesport and hopefully they can represent the country at the World Games and other Olympic Family Games.
Congratulation to both Czen Fong and Evon and again MYDF wish you well and personally as Sports Director I am very proud of your achievement . Yes Chua , you did ask me whether you can keep the trophy. I reconfirm that you can keep the trophy permanently for you are the over all Champion for the 2010/2011 Latin American Grade A Dancesport.
Look out for 2012/ 2013 I see many lean and hungry looks who are all out to not let you have an easy season. May the better couple wins.            
                       

Ballroom Dancing reputation redeemed

When we do not know the person  we can write and give our opinion freely. I was told that the announcement has been made on the 21st of October 2011. The person involved is a person whom I am acquainted with. It is too painful for me to even mention his name but if you care to visit MDA  web site at mda.com.my at the news section it is all there. If you are unable to view it, I was told that you may have to disable cookies (whatever it means).  
A lot has been spoken in my Blog about Dr. Henry Ooi (pic) the President of Malaysian Dancers Association (MDA) however in this case I have to commend him for acting swiftly to restore the good name of Ballroom Dancing in Malaysia. Let me make one thing amply clear, MYDF and MDA may be promoting and looking at Ballroom dancing or Dancesport from different perspective. I personally have not even met the man before and never had the pleasure of being introduced to him, however his action has restored the name of Ballroom Dancing in Malaysia.
From what little bit I hear, I was given to under stand that a show cause letter was sent and the person concern did not turn up to state his position save that his explanation by facsimile and email was sufficient. Apparently the explanation is insufficient, a Disciplinary Committee of MDA was convened to investigate in the matter. The person concerned was again invited to appear before the committee to state his case, unfortunately he did not bother to turn up and further he did not even inform the committee that he will not be attending the meeting.
The Disciplinary Committee apparently must have sifted through the letters and documents before them, I believe there were about 10 disciplinary members. By a unanimous vote, the disciplinary committee came to the unfortunate decision to recommend his expulsion. The recommendation apparently were given to the General Committee of MDA (I think 15 of them) to make a final decision and again by a unanimous vote they affirmed the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.
What I was being told, that the President of MDA Dato Dr. Henry Ooi did not participate in the voting process but allowed the committee to decide independently, that I felt was a noble thing to do. Many questions were fielded and the General Committee were even given a lengthy coffee break to digest the matter. The rest as they say is history.
What took me by surprise me in this case was the fact that the decision is unanimous. No one spoke or mitigated for him? I think you the readers can come to your own conclusion as to the reason.
Perhaps one day I will have the pleasure to meet Dato Dr. Henry Ooi and as the Sports Director of MYDF, I say thank you Dato for clearing the name of DanceSport or Ballroom Dancing in Malaysia. On such matters regarding honesty, integrity and sportsmanship, we in MYDF hold such value sacred. I am glad that MDA also hopefully share such views, and athletes or adjudicators that cheat, conduct dishonest act and behaves in unsporting manner do beware. 
Now you may ask why I refuse to mention his name or do I fear I will be sued for defamation. No the news is already in MDA web page, I know and you know who it is, so what is the point of rubbing salt in open wound?
I know this man and I had the opportunity to work with him in several championships in the early days. He was never my enemy and if I chance upon him on the street, I will be glad to have a cup of coffee with him. This story is still not at an end, he still can appeal to the General Assembly of Members. On this note I wish him well and good luck.             

Thunders are Rumbling at Jalan York

These are all rumours and I get to hear all sort of rumours all the times, some are far fetch but many are worthy of further investigations.This information came from up North. There will be a high level meeting of all the top guns in the Malaysia Dancers Association soon. The rumours further went on to say that it has something to do with the Star Metro (Central Region) report regarding some International Dance Competition and the charity referred to in the news. (See my recent Blog postings).
However I also heard rumours that the organisers of that International Dance Competition has settled with the said charity and that everything is fine.
 So what is this big gathering at the headquaters of MDA. Perhaps the meeting is to clear the air that what was reported in the Star Metro are all untrue. Perhaps MDA are now coming out to stand by their member and make a statement to the press.
Whatever, I do hope MDA comes out strong and courageous to make a statement to clear the air so that the name of Malaysian Dancesport is free from this scandal. If indeed this is the case, then I commend Malaysia Dancers Association of clearing the air.
There are also rumours circulating that MDA has been directed to act on the matter at the instructions of World Dance Council.
I know that there are many readers from MDA who visit this Blog, perhaps you care to comment and confirm the truth of the rumours. In Malaysia , rumours are always 90% true!
We shall wait for the development.

p.s. The location of MDA headquaters is at Jalan York.                 

A scam by anyother name is still a scam

Dear Friends I do not read Chinese, but I noticed that the news that I blogged below also made it to the Chinese Press. I was informed that the Chinese Press is even more telling. Can any of you good soul summarise in a sentence what was written in the Chinese Press.

Charity Scam!

To members of the pubic, I would like to announce that the Malaysian DanceSport Federation (MYDF) or any of its members are not associated with this alleged International Dance Competition. 
We also would like to inform that as the National Sports Association (NSA) governing DanceSport we are a member of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and the Asian DanceSport Federation. (ADSF). 
As a Sports body registered with the Sports Commissioner's office under the Sports Development Act, all international competition conducted in Malaysia will require the Sports Commissioner's office consent and knowledge. 
We have been approached by the Press to comment on the article. As far as we are concerned such allegation of using a charitable non governmental organisation to sell tickets is acceptable if the whole object of organising the competition is for a Charitable purposes. By that we mean all the proceeds after a proper audit is carried out on the monies received will be handed to the charitable organisation. 
However in this newspaper cutting this does not appear to be the case and it would appear that the organiser of the event are using the Charitable organisation to help sell its tickets. 
We would like to alert members of the public to be wary of such scams before parting with their money. 
          

ISTD now in cahoots with BDC ?

I was always under the impression that the Imperial Society  Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is an apolitical body. Notwithstanding the fact that they are based in England. But of late I believe and I may be wrong, ISTD seems to lean towards the policy of the British Dance Council (BDC). One such example is the British Dance Council Dress Code?
The ISTD just celebrated their 107 anniversary and they are very popular in Asia and has established themselves as a reliable examination body in this part of the world. With the conflict between WDSF and WDC and BDC, certainly siding either party will not be taken too kindly by the warring factions in Asia. They may even lose out their market share in this Dance examination business.
It would be good if the ISTD can come out and state whether they are an apolitical body or do they subscribe to the policies of the BDC, notwithstanding they are members of BDC.
Would the ISTD care to come out with a statement on their stand.

Olympic Council of Asia