All set for Mobitel International Dancesport

By Isuri Kaviratne

The third Mobitel International Dancesport Championship will be held on June 10 with 20 international couples and 20 - 30 local couples vying for the honours.

Both Latin American and standard (Ballroom) sections will comprise six events each; Beginners, Junior, Senior, Novices, Pre- Amateur and Amateur, with the Best Couple being chosen from each event.

Dance items at the news conference. Pix by Saman Kariyawasam

Addressing a news conference recently, organiser Dharshan Wijesooriya said more than 12 international judges will be present. "They are well qualified judges who have judged international competitions, mainly in the South East Asian region. Former Latin American champions Jukka Haapalainen and Sirpa Suutari will be performing a five-dance floor show as well," he added.

Suren Amarasekara, Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, the main sponsor of the competition, said, the country required a national company to take a bold step to sponsor such an event. "When Dharshan said he could get foreign participation, we agreed to sponsor it," he said.

Chandana de Silva, Head of Corporate Communications, SriLankan Airlines, the official airlines for the competition and William Costley, General Manager of the Hilton, the host hotel expressed hope of lending a helping hand in future competitions. Both companies have been trying to promote dancesport since 1993.

Tickets priced from Rs. 2500 upwards will be available at Lanka Hands (135, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 4).