A total 147 dancesports clubs across the nation have asked the General Department of Sports and Physical Training to remove dancesports from the Viet Nam Gymnastics Federation's jurisdiction to reform a separate body. — VNA/VNS Photo

In January, a group of dancesports athletes and coaches asked the Ministry of Home Affairs and the general department for approval to set up the Vietnam dancesports confederation. The establishment is still pending.

Wishes of dancesports admirers

In a letter to the department, the clubs say there are 40 cities and provinces which offer dancesports activities. Large cities provide the largest number of athletes, with many individuals performing well internationally.

“We represent coaches, athletes, referees, heads of clubs, and dancesports community to sign this letter to show our will to the department and confederation. We would like the department to promptly guide us to establish the new confederation. It will help manage and develop dancesports to meet the will of the community,” read the letter.

Though present in Vietnam for a long time, it wasn't until 2005 that dancesports was listed in the sports managing system and became a top competition sport in 2006.

In those 14 years, dancesports has continued to grow, prompting the call for specialised management to continue this development.

Nguyen Chi Anh, dubbed “the king of Vietnam dancesports,” said the sport's admirers greatly desire to set up a confederation, but the process has been slow.

According to Tran Chien Thang, chairman of the Viet Nam Gymnastics Federation, it is completely understandable that all sports want their own confederations.

“I totally support the confederation establishment of dancesports. We are still waiting for the Government's decision to detach the dancesports from the department. It is not an easy decision and the executive board has no right to decide on the establishment of a dancesports confederation,” said Thang.

Nguyen Hong Minh, deputy head of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, said in the department will submit to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Tourism’s approval to set up 10 new sports confederations, not only dancesports.

“All procedures must be implemented under the regulations of the State,” said Minh.

Meanwhile, Vuong Duy Bien, deputy head of the ministry, said he hopes all procedures will soon be completed so the dancesports confederation can be launched.

VNS