WDSF Celebrates Historic Milestone at the Presidium Meeting in Warsaw
As the WDSF reaches 100 National Member Bodies, this landmark achievement underscores the federation’s commitment to expanding DanceSport globally. This unprecedented milestone reflects the continuous growth and development of the sport on the international stage.
Warsaw, Poland, October 24, 2024 – The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) held its first in-person Presidium meeting of the year ahead of the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting commenced with WDSF President Shawn Tay expressing his optimism about the upcoming AGM and the significance of the collective effort in bringing Breaking to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. To commemorate this remarkable achievement, the President personally presented a special commemorative book to each Presidium member, celebrating Breaking’s Olympic debut and its impact on the DanceSport community.
As discussions unfolded, the WDSF Presidium approved Nigeria and Monaco as Provisional Members, contributing to the unprecedented number of 100 National Member Bodies (NMBs). Following this, the WDSF General Secretary officially announced the milestone during the meeting, which was met with applause from the Presidium. This remarkable achievement marks an important step in the growth and global expansion of DanceSport, further reinforcing the federation's commitment to promoting and developing the sport worldwide.
Additionally, following the resignation of DanceSport England, the WDSF Presidium successfully accepted the British DanceSport Federation (BDSF) as a new member. The transition from DanceSport England to the BDSF was presented by WDSF Vice President for Legal Affairs and Honorary Member Jim Fraser. This long and complex process required several adjustments but has now reached an advanced stage, marking a significant development for DanceSport in the UK.
With the AGM just three days away, the Presidium emphasized the importance of teamwork and cooperation in shaping the federation’s future. Each Presidium member actively contributed to discussions within their respective areas of responsibility, underscoring a collective commitment to advancing WDSF's objectives. This spirit of collaboration will be crucial as the federation navigates the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
The next Presidium meeting is scheduled for Monday, 28 October, following the WDSF Forum on Saturday, 26 October, and the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM). We are pleased to announce that the AGM will be available for live viewing through our official YouTube channel and Facebook page, allowing the global DanceSport community to stay connected and engaged with these important developments.
To provide further insight into the topics discussed during the Presidium meeting, we are pleased to share a series of quotes from key participants, offering their perspectives on the various initiatives and decisions undertaken.
Q: How do you feel about WDSF reaching 100 National Member Bodies today?
Shawn Tay (ST), WDSF President:
"We’ve been working towards this milestone for some time. After surpassing 90 Member Bodies, it became increasingly difficult to grow our numbers. However, we are thrilled that our involvement in the Olympic Games has brought recognition from numerous countries, acknowledging us as the international sports federation responsible for dance disciplines. Now, we have successfully reached 100 Member Bodies, which is a significant achievement for WDSF."
Nenad Jeftic (NJ), Chair of the Membership Commission and VP for Sports:
"I'm proud that we have reached this important milestone of 100 members. However, as Chair of the Membership Commission and aligned with WDSF's goals, I have to emphasize that I’m looking forward to welcoming even more new members in the future."
Q: How do you feel about gaining a new member from Africa?
Nenad Jeftic (NJ):
"This is a great achievement after many years. We already had one or two members from Africa, and now we’re pleased to welcome yet another new member from this continent."
Q: England has now restructured its federation, aligning with the British Olympic Association’s requirements. How does this development feel?
Nenad Jeftic (NJ):
"I feel very positive about this development. We are now focusing on growing DanceSport in the UK, and I believe this restructuring aligns with a strategic vision for the future."
Q: This seems like a strategic move for WDSF. Can you make any promises for the future?
Nenad Jeftic (NJ):
"Yes, I promise that we will work hard to achieve clear results from our efforts, and I look forward to seeing significant progress by 2025."
Acknowledgements
The WDSF would like to express its gratitude to the Polish DanceSport Federation for their outstanding support and collaboration in organizing the upcoming AGM and related events in Poland.
Follow the AGM Live
We invite everyone to follow the AGM 2024 live on our YouTube channel and Facebook page, where we will be providing updates throughout the event. Stay connected with us on all WDSF social media platforms for real-time news and highlights.
- Instagram: WDSF DanceSport
- YouTube: DanceSportTotal
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- TikTok: WDSF DanceSport
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