Strengthening Foundations: An Exclusive Interview with WDSF General Secretary Sergey Nifontov
Recently marking his third year as WDSF General Secretary, Sergey Nifontov has been a pivotal figure in advancing the administrative operations of the federation. At the recent WDSF Forum, Sergey delivered an insightful presentation that highlighted the significant growth of the team under his leadership and the strides made in enhancing WDSF's administrative efficiency. His efforts have contributed to a streamlined and cohesive operational framework within the organization. Sergey kindly agreed to share more in this exclusive interview, where he discusses key topics including administrative advancements, technological integration, and the legacy of Breaking’s Olympic debut.
- Administrative Efficiency: Reflecting on the AGM so far, what steps are being taken to improve administrative coordination between national bodies and the international federation?
Firstly, we’re building capacity through targeted human resource development. We’re strengthening our workforce across all levels, ensuring a unified and efficient approach to administrative tasks.
Secondly, we’re clarifying our operations to remove redundancies and streamline processes. By refining our workflows, we can reduce ambiguity and ensure that each interaction between WDSF Member Bodies and the WDSF is purposeful and straightforward.
Another critical step we’re taking is advancing our digital capabilities. We’re maximizing the use of the WDSF website, enabling it to handle functions like bidding form submissions and event applications directly online. This approach not only cuts down on unnecessary email communication but also provides a centralized, accessible platform for our members.
Lastly, we’ve moved the licensing process for WDSF officials entirely online. This change speeds up application and renewal times, reduces paperwork, and ensures that officials can manage their licenses from anywhere in the world.
Overall, these steps are part of a broader strategy to establish a transparent, cohesive, and efficient administrative framework, which supports our current needs while also preparing us for the future.
- Digital Tools: With the importance of technology discussed at the AGM, how is WDSF leveraging digital tools to improve communication and participation globally?
With the importance of technology in today’s world, the WDSF is fully committed to leveraging digital tools to enhance communication and global participation.
One of our primary focuses is to maximize the visibility of DanceSport disciplines by expanding the number of hours of livestreaming and broadcasting. We're currently collaborating with a music provider to develop a platform that will allow us to increase our livestream capacity by up to 2000% compared to current levels. This ambitious expansion marks a transformative shift in our approach, significantly boosting the accessibility and visibility of DanceSport worldwide.
In addition to live content, we are working on generating digital written content about our athletes, disciplines, and overall operations. By growing our presence in this area, we aim to increase awareness and understanding of DanceSport and strengthen our position within the Olympic Movement. We see this as a critical step toward positioning DanceSport as a key player on the global stage.
Overall, by harnessing the full potential of digital tools, we’re setting the stage for a more connected, informed, and engaged DanceSport community, which aligns with our broader goal of global inclusivity and recognition.
- Legacy of Paris 2024: How does the WDSF plan to build on the legacy of Breaking’s inclusion in the Paris 2024 Olympics and use it as a springboard for future Olympic and non-Olympic DanceSport events?
Breaking’s inclusion in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has shown that the WDSF is not only capable of managing a complex qualification system but also a reliable partner for the IOC in delivering exceptional Olympic events. We believe that our successful involvement will elevate our standing in the Olympic Movement and yield significant benefits for the future of DanceSport.
Looking ahead, we have an exciting slate of opportunities on the horizon, including the Youth Olympic Games, The World Games, Continental Games, and even Subcontinental Games. Our track record has demonstrated that WDSF is well-equipped to promote DanceSport at all levels.
Currently, our primary focus is on leveraging the experience we gained through the Olympics to elevate the quality of our events. We’ve acquired invaluable knowledge about operating at a world-class standard, and it’s now up to us to incorporate this know-how across all our operations. By doing so, we aim to grow our reach, increase participation, and make DanceSport more prominent than ever. This is our opportunity to build on the legacy of Paris 2024 and take DanceSport to new heights.
- How would you assess the overall outcome of both the 2024 Forum and the 2024 AGM?
I would qualify the outcomes of both the 2024 Forum and AGM as highly successful. The topics addressed during the Forum were not only engaging but also directly relevant to the current challenges we face, offering actionable insights and addressing real-world issues within the DanceSport. Additionally, these discussions highlighted the opportunities presented by the post-Olympic momentum, which we can leverage to further strengthen DanceSport's global position.
Looking ahead, we are now in the process of selecting the host city for the next AGM, tentatively planned for the weekend of June 14-15, 2025. This will allow us to continue building on the progress and achievements from this year’s event.
Acknowledgments and Final Remarks
Following the interview, Sergey Nifontov wished to extend a message of gratitude, acknowledging the WDSF President, the Managing Committee, the Presidium, National Member Bodies, and WDSF staff for their collective contributions to the success of the AGM and Forum. He gave special recognition to the WDSF Vice-President for Sport Nenad Jeftic for his unwavering support and invaluable contributions to the ongoing development of the WDSF.
President's Tribute
Reflecting on Sergey Nifontov’s dedication, WDSF President Shawn Tay expressed his gratitude: “Sergey’s leadership in strengthening our federation’s administrative and operational frameworks has been invaluable. His commitment to developing an efficient and cohesive environment for our Member Bodies, combined with his vision for future growth, positions DanceSport for continued success on the global stage. I look forward to seeing Sergey’s initiatives inspire even greater accomplishments within our organization.”
Watch again the WDSF AGM 2024
We invite everyone to watch the complete session recording of the AGM 2024, available on our YouTube channel and Facebook page. Stay connected with us on all WDSF social media platforms for real-time news and highlights.
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- YouTube: DanceSportTotal
- Facebook: WDSF DanceSport
- TikTok: WDSF DanceSport
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