The inaugural Ghana DanceSport League took place on October 5th during the Street Dance Fiesta of the 10th Ghana Dance Festival at the Alliance Française, establishing a new platform for competitive dance in Ghana. The event was a high-stakes competition featuring six talented dance crews: Team Hubes Dance Crew, United Kings Academy, 4Bent Dance Crew, Asa Academy, Flames Dance Company, and BAS Academy. Each team showcased their unique routines in a presentation-style format before a panel of judges, including notable figures like Adjetey Sowah, Dr. Terry Bright Ofosu, and Yvonne “Laladzy” Okyere. With a focus on execution, creativity, teamwork, and showmanship, the competition sought to celebrate not just the art of dance, but to legitimize dance as a recognized sport.
As the competition unfolded, Team Hubes Dance Crew ultimately triumphed, showcasing their skills and earning the coveted first-place title. The format of the competition allowed for an initial round where all six crews performed, followed by the selection of the top four teams. These finalists—Team Hubes, United Kings Academy, 4Bent Dance Crew, and Asa Academy—faced off in elimination rounds. Team Hubes defeated 4Bent in one of the semi-finals, while United Kings Academy beat Asa Academy to secure their spot in the finals. A fixture for the third place was held between 4Bent and Asa Academy, allowing 4Bent to claim the podium thanks to a no-show from their competitor. The grand final featured a thrilling battle between Team Hubes and United Kings Academy, culminating in a well-deserved victory for Team Hubes.
The victorious Team Hubes, representing Korle Gonno in Accra, was awarded 4,000 cedis, while United Kings Academy took home 2,000 cedis for their second-place finish, hailing from Abesim in Sunyani. 4Bent Dance Crew, representing Dansoman in Accra, secured the third place with a prize of 1,000 cedis. In addition to the monetary rewards, all top three teams received medals to commemorate their participation. The event not only highlighted the skill and passion of Ghanaian dancers but also emphasized the importance of competitive dance as an emerging sport in the region.
Robert Klah, the founder of the Ghana DanceSport League, articulated the significance of the event, stressing the need to promote dance as a sport. With the inclusion of dance in the Olympic Games, justifying dance’s athletic merit is more relevant than ever. The creation of the Ghana DanceSport League serves as a foundation for professional dancers to enhance their careers, while plans are also underway for the Ghana DanceSport School League to support amateur dancers. Klah emphasized the league’s commitment to linking local dance athletes with international competitions and fostering continued dialogue around the integration of dance into standard sporting frameworks.
Leading up to the DanceSport League, a dynamic workshop was held featuring renowned members of the DWP Academy, including dance sensations like Lisa Quama and King Nature. This workshop set the stage for various performances by top street dance crews, with groups such as Millitantz Dance Family, Arenees Dance Crew, and Flawless Dance Studio showcasing the rich talent available in Ghana’s dance community. The inclusion of diverse dance styles, including the impressive Indian routine performed by Nila Dance Academy, underlined the festival’s goal of celebrating multicultural expressions within the dance scene.
The Street Dance Fiesta, part of the larger 10th Ghana Dance Festival, was a collaborative effort involving DanceSport Ghana and the Dancers & DanceSport Association of Ghana (DDASPAG). This partnership highlighted a shared vision of nurturing and promoting dance as a thriving sport and cultural activity in Ghana. As the festival concluded, the inaugural Ghana DanceSport League not only marked a significant advancement for the local dance industry but also created excitement for future events, ensuring that the spirit of dance continues to flourish in Ghana. As the community looks forward to the next editions, the groundwork laid by this event promises a vibrant future for DanceSport in the region.
