Macau 2007, II Asian Indoor Games

The Team Manager George Tan said that this is a fabulous outing for Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007. We went with no expectations, not with the power houses of Dancesport in Asia is there. There were 18 countries and notably we expect China, Japan, Korea and Kazakstan to make a clean sweep in both the Standard and Latin event. This was indeed the case.

However we are happy that all of our couples on the floor did make it to the semi finals in all the events they took part in. The five dance event Anthony & Anita and Jonathan & Therese were in the semi finals in their respective Standard and Latin American event. Although they did not make it into the finals, none of the South East Asian countries also made it.

Casey & Fabiola our Standard couple could not make it to the floor because of injuries sustained whilst training. Fabiola injured her ankle in a collision with another couple in Kuala Lumpur. We would like to express our heart felt gratitude to Dr Miriam George who treated Fabiola in Macau, unfortunately the good doctor advised Fabiola to rest and continue her treatment at the Institute Sukan Negara.

George Tan the Team Manager and Peter Ong the National Coach were present to oversee the athletes training at the Macau Forum, the competition venue. George was there to video our athletes both Standard and Latin and gave his invaluable comments. Peter ensured that the athletes were properly warmed up before they go down the floor. Edna our chaperone was in action to ensure the group check in went smoothly, that the athletes have enough food and drinks at the Venue and to ensure that the athletes look their best before they go to the floor.

The main issue in this competition is the strict imposition of the IDSF Dress Code. No warning will be given and those couple who flout the dress code will be disqualified. George and Peter got all our Latin ladies athlete to bring out their costumes for inspections.

The athletes and officials in Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007 knows their role at the Games and all of them contributed to the success of this outing.

We may not have brought home a medal, but the Macau Games was a bench mark in our preparation for the coming 24th SEA Games in Korat.

Training at the Institute Sukan Negara

The 18th November 2007 is an eventful day in the Malaysian Dancesport scene. Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007 went for their first evaluation by the Sports Psychologist and Sport Nutritionist at the National Sports Institute .

Let me make it clear that their preparation now is not for the Asian Indoor Games. It is actually for the SEA Games in December. The group in TDM spoke to the Sports Physiologist, who told them that it is not advisable to work on their fitness level with the Asian Indoor Games hardly 2 weeks away.

From the 1st of November onwards they will be put under the care of the conditioning specialist.

The question now that we need to address is what is the future of Dancesport and the Dance athletes in Malaysia. To train an athlete cannot happen in two (2) months or within a year. It is a long term program, by that the story does not end after the SEA Games. As a matter of fact the story continues and in actual fact the story is just beginning.

MDSB have to look at the interest of the athletes going to SEA Games 2009, now. A training schedule have to be formulated, a plan have to be in place now. It is essential to combine the dancing skills of the athletes with strength, speed and power and the best place to do this is the National Sports Institute. TDM 2007 have paved the way and hopefully others will follow the path.

What about the new professional body, the Malaysian Professional Dancesport Council(MPDC) I am sure if training the athletes and instructors are part of the agenda, they must come forward to look for a long term strategy for the future of dancesports.