RP GOAL: OLYMPIC GOLD IN BALLROOM DANCING

Manila, Sept. 28, 1997 - Regional ballroom dancing competitions are now well under way to select the Philippine entries to the 1998 Olympic Games. The Philippines has been accepted as one of the participating nations in the ballroom dancing competition of the 1998 Summer Olympics.

Becky Garcia, founder of the Dance Sport Council of the Philippines, expressed confidence that next to boxing, ballroom dancing is where the country cold expect gold medals.

To train and professionalize local dancers, Garcia has been bringing in famous dancing champions from Europe and Latin America.

Ballroom dancing, which used to be regarded as a hobby, has been elevated to the status of a legitimate competition sport with international competition categories and standards. Garcia's Dance Sports Council is the only organization licensed to train, educate and conduct competitions that will help develop and promote dance athletes and the sport itself.