I am back

I am back, and most of you may be curious as to why? The short answer is I was invited by the current President of MPDC to take up this post. I must confess that after December 31st 2007 when I resigned as MDSB Sports Director it was over for me.

Further I was encouraged that there are people who are still very enthusiastic in Dancesport, What I feel they lack is guidance and direction and I was asked to share my experience in this new set up.

I have so many things to share with you and I do not know where to start. I suppose I will start with MPDC and talk about their aims and directions.

Malaysian Professional Dancesport Council (MPDC) formation is inevitable. As the name suggest it is a Professional Dancesport body in Malaysia recognised by the International Professional Dancesport Council ( IPDSC). The trend in the world as some of you may be aware of, the International Dancersport Federation (IDSF) has changed their name to World Dancesport Federation (WDF). The reason for the change is many, but the main reason as I see it is dance must encompass other discipline like rock & roll and even wheel chair dancing and many more.

With this dichotomy the trend, is now to leave the training program of professional dance teachers, professional athletes, scrutineering program to the professionals. What then does the amateur do, well they have an important role of regulating the amateur athletes in WDF.

Internationally WDF and IPDSC works very well together, like wise locally MDSB and MPDC are joining hands to start the National ranking. It is most unfortunate that the 2nd KL International Dance Festival has to be postponed, but the show must still go on.

To all of you out there who wants to represent Malaysia for the Olympic Family Games like SEA and Asian Indoor Games. I want you to know that the technical aspect of the Games is govern by IDSF or WDF Rules only. By that I mean you need to be a member of your local professional or amateur body. You must be a current member of MPDC or MDSB. Your achievement or ranking by other dancesport body are not recognised. For the purposes of the National ranking , the aim is to select Malaysian best to represent the country. It matters not whether you are a professional or an amateur. However the distinction of amateur and professional becomes apparent when you join the WDF/IDSF or the IPDSC competition circuit. Each have their own dance circuit.

You will also note that MPDC will be regulating National adjudicators into Category A and Category B adjudicators. The details will be found in their web site. I will touch on other area soon.

The attachment is a picture of the MPDC registration certificate. I choose this picture because this is the start of all things.

If you have anything you wish to highlight to me , you can write to me at johnfam63@yahoo.com

Farewell to MDSB

The time has come to leave MDSB and I have done what I can possibly do for Dancesport. Team Dancesport Malaysia has appeared in 2005 and 2007 Asian Indoor Games and the Cebu and Korat SEA Games. All is not over for Dancesport for it is relevant up till the 2014 and there are still many Olympic Family Games that will feature Dancesport. The next Asian Indoor Games will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2009 and their top couple as I write are in Brussels training.

What is the direction of Dancesport in the near future? For this I suggest you read IDSF Carlos Freitag message for 2008. For starters in the next IDSF meeting there is this proposal to form the World Dancesport Federation (WDSF). WDSF will encompass not only Latin American and Standard but will also embrace Rock & Roll and Wheel Chair Dancing and other forms that accept sporting principles and philosophy.

Further with the formation of the International Professional Dancesport Council (IPDC) to look after the Professional athletes' interest, IDSF have open the path for Professional athletes to be part of the Olympic Family and participate in the Olympic Family Games. What does it means then to all of us? Simply the distinction between Professional and amateur athletes are removed, and they will be known simply as athletes.

Finally , I must declare that I have the best support from all of you dance enthusiast who believe in fair play , fair judging and transparency.

Thank you and goodbye.

SEA Games Category A Latin

There are further good news for Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007 from the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). This is to confirm that Anthony Chua and Anita Tan, Michael Yong & Janet Gooi and Jonathan Fam & Therese Tan has been selected by the OCM to represent the country under Category A for the 24th SEA Games in Nakhorn Ratchasima in Korat, Thailand .

Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007 went to the Macau 2007 , II Asian Indoor Games under category B. By that Team Dancesport Malaysia goes to the Games at their own expenses . In the Korat Games the above couples goes to the Games at the expenses of the OCM. The upgrading of Anthony & Anita was done at the recent meeting of the Board of Directors of OCM. This is a recognition by the OCM towards Dancesport and it is indeed a break through.

In substance this does not affect the other Team Members or should dampen their spirit. all the couples has proven themselves and had performed splendidly at the Macau Games. Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007 will be heavily subsidising the rest of the couples to the Korat Games.

This is only a mere mention and an acknowledgment of the three(3) couples in Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007, nothing more nothing less.

Pictures above: Anthony & Anita, Michael & Janet , Jonathan & Therese.

24th SEA Games in Korat, Thailand

After the Macao Games, the athletes are back feeling very buoyant and more confident. Most of them had their medical check up done at the Institute Sukan Negara.

The competition format of the SEA Games in Korat is different from that of the 23rd SEA Games in CEBU. Our athletes will compete in the 5 individual dance events in the respective categories, Standard or Latin American. We have decided to send our three top athletes in Standard and Latin American and according to the SEA Games Federation Rules, each nation is allowed to send in two couples per event. There are no 5 dance event in the Korat Games unlike the Macau Asian Indoor Games.

For the training of the athletes, Team Dancesport Malaysia are bringing in Nikolay Voronovich from Russia for the Latin and at the point of writing we are negotiating with Benedetto Ferrugio for the Standard. The training emphasis will be in accordance to the SEA Games format. This is made possible from the funds generated from Got Rhythm? and on this note we would like to thank you the public for supporting our fund raising event for our athletes.

I woulds like to inform you that the Malaysian Supporters Club sponsored by Samsung Malaysia will be in Korat at the dance venue to lend support to Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007.

What are our medal chances? Let me be frank, the Thais and the Filipinos are a force to contend with so are the Vietnamese. Our athletes are prepared and by the time they are on the floor at the Vongchavalitkul Hall, they will be as well prepared as they can be. There will be no Clarion Call of "Malaysia Boleh!" at this juncture.

Our athletes do not need that, in quite contemplation before the Games they will prepare themselves mentally, when they burst on the floor with their routine, let the audience show their roar of approval.

We wish Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007 all the best and Malaysia can only expect that you put your best foot forward.

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.

Macau II 2007 Asian Indoor Games

Come 25th of October 2007 Team Dancesport Malaysia 2007 (TDM) will depart for the Macau 2007 2nd Asian Indoor Games. TDM comprises 12 athletes and 5 officials as allowed in the technical handbook. For your information , there are altogether 12 events in the Macau Games. 6 in Standard and the other 6 in Latin American. There are 5 single dance event and one 5 dance event. Each couples are permitted to take part in three (3) events only.

I was informed recently that there are 17 countries through out Asia that will be competing in the Macau Games and the Dancesport Power houses are People Republic of China, Khazakstan, Japan , Korea and Uzbekistan. I was informed by All India Dancesport Federation that India will be sending their couples to the Games for the 1st time and they are all excited about it.

The couple that will be taking part in the Latin American 5 dance: Chun Wai & Yen Chin and Jonathan & Therese. Samba: Chun Wai & Yen Chin, Cha Cha Cha : Michael & Janet ; Jonathan & Therese; Rumba: Michael & Janet; Jonathan & Therese; Paso Doble: Michael & Janet; Jive : Chun Wai & Yen Chin

In Standard: 5 dance: Anthony & Anita; Fong Tuan & Alexa; Waltz: Anthony & Anita ; Casey & Fabiola; Tango: Casey & Fabiola; Fong Tuan & Alexa; Viennese Waltz: Anthony & Anita; Slow Fox Trot: Casey & Fabiola ; Quick Step: Fong Tuan & Alexa.

The Team Manager for TDM 2007 is George Tan , who is the President of Malaysian Professional Dancesport Council (MPDC) and the National Coach is Mr. Peter Ong.

To TDM 2007 to the Macau Games, we wish you all the best. We are fully aware that you will be pitching your skill with some of the best dance athlete in Asia, just do us proud in the Games and most of all enjoy yourself.

The Banner you see above is the TDM2207 for the Macau Games. Our athletes will bring and display our banner at the Games.