Wheelchair dance sport seeks first Asian Champs hosts

“Major Championships, as well as lower-level competitions, offer organisers and host cities the chance to be part of history and make a real difference to the future of the sport.”

IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport has launched a call for hosts for the first Asian Championships in the sport’s history, as well as for the next European Championships, both scheduled to take place in 2016.

A search is also taking place for lower-level competitions to approve to build the competition calendar.

Xavier Gonzalez, IPC Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since the 2013 World Championships were held in Tokyo, Japan, wheelchair dance sport has been expanding in Asia, not least with its inclusion at the Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games for the first time.

“It is clear that the sport is growing in popularity in the region, as well as enjoying a high level of performance, with some of the world’s best dancers coming from Asian countries.

“The expansion around the world is incredibly exciting but we are also keen to maintain the momentum with the next European Championships and by adding to the wider competition calendar.

“Major Championships, as well as lower-level competitions, offer organisers and host cities the chance to be part of history and make a real difference to the future of the sport.”

IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport has been growing the competition calendar in recent seasons and in 2015 announced its most international schedule to date, following on from the 2014 European Championships in Lomianki, Poland, which featured singles and freestyle for the first time.

So far this year, dancers have travelled to Kazakhstan, Germany, Serbia and Chinese Taipei and will compete at the 2015 IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport World Championships in Rome, Italy, between 6-8 November.

Before that they will dance at the first IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport World Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia, between 5-7 September and Hasselt, Belgium, from 24-25 October.

Those interested in hosting the Asian or European Championships can complete a bid application and host city expression of interest at the IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport website.

Information about the process for approval from IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport for lower-level competitions can also be found at the sport’s website.

All applications and bids must be made by 15 November 2015.