Breaking, the official name for competitive breakdancing will become an Olympic sport for the first at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s a form of street dance that incorporates intricate body movements, coordination, style, and aesthetics. Despite a huge interest among the Bhutanese break-dancers are unlikely to compete due to the lack of a proper association. For Bhutanese athletes to participate in the Olympics, it is mandatory to have an association affiliated with the Bhutan Olympic Committee.
According to the Bhutan Olympic Committee’s Guidelines for Affiliation and Membership, breakdancing or any other sports community is mandated to form an association outlining long-term sustainability and a strategic plan indicating vision and objectives among others.
Moreover, as the qualifying event for the Olympics, Bhutanese athletes are required to perform well in the Asian Games. However, the BOC said the Asian Games do not have break dance on their list.
Undeterred by the setbacks, Gokab, a platform for Bhutanese youth to showcase their skills and abilities through dance, say they are negotiating with the BOC for participation in the 2024 Olympics.
“The situation here is that B-boys and B-girls really want to participate in the Olympics. We are very excited about the upcoming Olympics, which has a break dance. Therefore, we are negotiating with the BOC for participation,” said Namgay Wangchuk, the manager of Gokab.
Currently, there are nearly 40 B-boys and B-girls in the country. The people who perform breakdancing are known as b-boys or b-girls. About five of them have represented the country on international platforms.
According to Gokab, lack of funding, training facilities, and support from the public are some of their biggest challenges.
Meanwhile, according to the BOC, as long as the breakdancing community fulfils the process and becomes affiliated, the sport will receive BOC’s support.
Breakdancing originated in New York City during the late 1960s and early 1970s, incorporating moves from a variety of sources including martial arts and gymnastics.
Singye Dema & Tashi Dekar
Edited by Sonam Pem
