History of DanceSport
When Dance Became Sport
Early DaysDance turned into genuine sport at the beginning of the twentieth century, when French entrepreneur Camille de Rhynal and a group of superb dancers added the competitive to the social, and when they converted ballrooms into the venue for their contests.
The first Tango tournament with international participation took place in Nice, France, in 1907. Ballroom championships in Paris, Berlin and London were soon to follow. France, Germany and England continued to assume the lead in fostering the emergence of a sport that seemed to fit in perfectly with the roaring twenties.
An inaugural world championship truly deserving of such title was held in Bad Nauheim, Germany, in 1936. Couples from fifteen nations and three continents were involved. Even though World War II then brought most of the competitive dancing to a halt, a new sport was born. One that succeeded to keep in step with the rhythms of time.
DanceSport Today
Recent DaysThe World DanceSport Federation coined the term “DanceSport” in the early 1980s. While the Sport in the composite aspires to be consistent with the generally accepted definitions, Dance is to remain the distinguishing artistic mark.
For some of the styles, DanceSport takes pride in upholding some of the traditions and panache of what was previously known as competitive ballroom dancing. But it has long abandoned the latter’s narrow confines. Today, the most diverse dance styles that have adopted a sports-based culture, and that have established bona fide competition structures, fall under the genus name.
DanceSport has become an all-encompassing brand for an activity that is uniquely accessible and sociable, allowing participants to improve physical fitness and mental well-being, to interact, and to obtain results at all levels. Everybody is capable of moving to music. And dance transgresses all barriers of age, gender and culture.
DanceSport in Uganda
The Uganda DanceSport Federation (UDSF) is the National governing body responsible for all aspects of DanceSport within Uganda. The UDSF oversees DanceSport activities directly through its own organs or through its clubs, groups, schools, and special consideration member bodies, or by means of administrative agreements with other persons and bodies.
The UDSF was established in 2018 by Rtn Ssebuyungo Barnabas, who is an avid sportsman and journalist with a passion for DanceSport. The UDSF is dedicated to organizing and improving DanceSport for all dance enthusiasts in Uganda.
All national DanceSport competitions are managed by the UDSF. Each member of the UDSF represents DanceSport in their respective region, club, or special multinational sports body. Representatives from each of these bodies attend the General Meeting of the UDSF, which is the legislative organ controlling all DanceSport affairs based on universal sporting principles and the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF).
Whether you are an experienced dancer or new to the art, the UDSF is committed to supporting you in achieving your goals and reaching new heights in DanceSport. Join us in keeping the passion for DanceSport alive and thriving in Uganda!.