IDSF clarifies its position
In a press release issued February 21, IDSF president Johannes Biba clarified the IDSF position on where it fits into the overall picture of worldwide DanceSport. I think this was a good move, and one long overdue given the confusion and division that was spreading in regards to the ongoing issues between WDC and IDSF (not to mention IDU).
In a nutshell, the IDSF sees its role as an "International Sports Federation" that represents all of DanceSport, including amateurs, professionals, adjudicators and administrators.
Biba goes on to give some examples to dispel the long-held rumor that WDC and IDSF had some kind of formal agreement that was broken by recent actions such as the IPDSC World Championship. There was no such agreement, he says, and provides dates and events that prove his point.
One of the most interesting statements, though no surprise, is that "WDC is moving more toward Art and IDSF continues to move more toward Sports." Many of us have seen that trend already. As I've mentioned in a previous posting, I believe the key dividing line between philosophies will be that very issue. Is DanceSport an art or is it a sport?
Biba says he does not want a disagreement to exist between the WDC and IDSF, in the sense that one should continue to move foward into the art camp and the other should continue to move into the sports camp and let the dance community decide which philosophy they prefer.
If the WDC can get its act together administratively and actually create a meaningful international organization, there may well be good that comes out of this. It seems that we would be much better off as a dance community with two organizations like this split between clearly defined ideologies rather than politics. People who feel strongly about one viewpoint or the other would join their respective representative organization and push to make the most of that philosophy. Competitive ballroom dance would gain awareness and recognition because both groups would provide strong public visibility.
I believe that dance is an art, though it has sport characteristics. I have no problems with the existence of another body that promotes the art aspect as powerfully as the IDSF promotes the sport aspect. While I understand the concerns of those who want to see an end to the split community and have everything under one banner, I don't agree. We are always better served by different and even competing groups, provided that these differences are based on ideological views. It will certainly be better for everyone if the two can define their roles so clearly that people can choose involvement on a basis other than pure politics.
In a nutshell, the IDSF sees its role as an "International Sports Federation" that represents all of DanceSport, including amateurs, professionals, adjudicators and administrators.
Biba goes on to give some examples to dispel the long-held rumor that WDC and IDSF had some kind of formal agreement that was broken by recent actions such as the IPDSC World Championship. There was no such agreement, he says, and provides dates and events that prove his point.
One of the most interesting statements, though no surprise, is that "WDC is moving more toward Art and IDSF continues to move more toward Sports." Many of us have seen that trend already. As I've mentioned in a previous posting, I believe the key dividing line between philosophies will be that very issue. Is DanceSport an art or is it a sport?
Biba says he does not want a disagreement to exist between the WDC and IDSF, in the sense that one should continue to move foward into the art camp and the other should continue to move into the sports camp and let the dance community decide which philosophy they prefer.
If the WDC can get its act together administratively and actually create a meaningful international organization, there may well be good that comes out of this. It seems that we would be much better off as a dance community with two organizations like this split between clearly defined ideologies rather than politics. People who feel strongly about one viewpoint or the other would join their respective representative organization and push to make the most of that philosophy. Competitive ballroom dance would gain awareness and recognition because both groups would provide strong public visibility.
I believe that dance is an art, though it has sport characteristics. I have no problems with the existence of another body that promotes the art aspect as powerfully as the IDSF promotes the sport aspect. While I understand the concerns of those who want to see an end to the split community and have everything under one banner, I don't agree. We are always better served by different and even competing groups, provided that these differences are based on ideological views. It will certainly be better for everyone if the two can define their roles so clearly that people can choose involvement on a basis other than pure politics.
