The Botswana Dance Sport Association has finally sent two of its couples along with BODANSA Administrative Secretary, Karabo Sly Kemoabe, to Denmark to participate in the Copenhagen Open Championship that was scheduled for this weekend.
After a series of challenges the association faced in organizing for the trip, the two couples finally left on the 17th February. They are expected to participate for the first time in the Copenhagen Open Championship.
Besides being the first for Botswana dancers, it will also be a first for an African country to participate at the championship something which the BODANSA’s PRO, Keabetswe Ramocha, said they hoped this would give their dancers the much deserved exposure in the sport.
The couples that will participate are Tiny Serole and Mogomotsi Bolaane along with Kabelo Giddie and Hope Bayani who are also Botswana’s top dancers.
Ramocha further said though they faced a series of challenges in preparation for the whole trip, they finally got it all together and are hopeful couples sent will represent the country well.
“Our main problem was funds and some of that which we had managed to solicit came late, which is why one couple left a day before the others. However, everything else was right on track and Botswana’s participation will also help develop Dance Sport in the country,” he said, adding that it does not only benefit the couples sent but the whole association.
The Copenhagen Open is an international championship featuring top couples from countries from all over the world and no African country has ever reached the top twelve.
The event is organized by Peter Dan Ringgaard on behalf of KAF. The couples are expected back on the 22nd of February.
Furthermore, the association will on the 27th of February host their first competition of the year in Selebi Phikwe.
Kemoabe noted that the competition will be held at the Selebi Phikwe Town Hall and that registration fee for couple medal section is P100; P120 for open section and P200 for formations (Hip-hop).
“We would like to bring to the attention of affiliates that there will be a new section, The Grand Prix (Ten Dance section). This section is open to all dancers doing open work in both International Standard and Latin American. Couples are required to do 5 dances for each discipline and the marks will be added to produce results,” Kemoabe said.
Further, in their efforts to encourage participation in this new section, Kemoabe explained that the association has decided to send a top couple in this section to all international competitions at which the national teams will be taking part in.
