Wheelchair dance to the fore
At the recently concluded Annual General Meeting of the Ballroom
Dancers Federation International (BDFI) held at Blackpool in UK, Sri
Lanka was honoured when Subashini Dias Abeyegunawardene was elected to
the International Board of Directors.
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Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage congratulates Subashini
Dias Abeyegunawardene on her election as International Director
of BDFI. |
This is the first time a Sri Lankan has been given the opportunity of
being an International Director of a World Dance Body.
As National Director for the last four years Subashini with her
dedicated Presidents, Nemantha Abeysinghe, Dr Doreen Jayamaha and Dr
Nellie Fernando steered western dancing to new heights with new
concepts.
Introducing Wheelchair Dancing in Sri Lanka was a magnanimous effort
of BDFI Sri Lanka when they "United the abled and the differently abled"
on a common platform.
Line Dancing was another concept brought to Sri Lanka to "Stop the
cry for partners".
As a member of the World Masters International many Line Dancing
competitions have been held locally and the winners promoted to Asia
Pacific and World Competitions. Incidentally Subashini is the only Sri
Lankan so far who has danced at the Blackpool World Championships and
was placed 5th.
Promoting five disciplines of dancing namely Hip Hop, Line and Belly
under the Performing Arts category, Strict Tempo Dancing in Latin and
Modern. BDFI has conducted three International Dancesport Festivals with
great success. Workshops by International Experts have been a regular
feature to uplift dancing standards, which has been marred by social
dancing. Annual National Hip Hop Competitions was a base for many a
hidden talent.
The Federation accents on correct technique and style and conducts
the British Medal Exams annually. |
