Seychelles dancers depart for Warsaw championship 2026 |07 April 2026
The dancers before their departure yesterday (Photo: Contributed)
A team of talented dancers from Seychelles officially departed the country yesterday afternoon on board Ethiopian Airlines to represent the nation at the prestigious WADF Warsaw Championships 2026, taking place from April 10-12, in Warsaw, Poland.
The competition will welcome dancers from 14 countries and bring together 79 dance studios, making it a highly competitive international event. The delegation represents Artistic Dance Factory Seychelles, a leading local dance institution under the direction of Dr Lucia Banane, with training led by head coach Mpho Kgatla. Over the past few months, the dancers have undergone intensive weekly training sessions in preparation for this major competition.
This marks the second involvement of Artistic Dance Factory Seychelles at the Warsaw Championship. In 2025, the team delivered an outstanding performance, finishing second overall in the number of trophies won, placing Seychelles firmly on the international dance map.
The Seychelles delegation includes dancers across a wide range of age categories:
- Mini kids: Amara Didon, Farrah Diallo, Meera Benoiton
- Juvenile I: Alizée Low Ken
- Juvenile II: Eve Mousbé
- Junior I: Zoe Payet, Jade Esparon, Emily Brutus, Maraika Benoiton
- Junior II: Dorah Morel
- Youth: Aisheera Payet, Vanessa Ferley, Mellisa Andre
- Masters: Mariette Dine, Evaline Joubert
The dancers will compete in a comprehensive range of disciplines, including:
- Ballroom: Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Slow Foxtrot
- Latin: Samba, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive
- Caribbean: Salsa, Bachata, Merengue
They will take part in solo events as well as multi-dance combinations, including Latin (3 and 4 dances) and Caribbean (3 dances), which test both technical ability and endurance.
Involvement in this international championship provides a valuable opportunity for the dancers to showcase their talent, discipline, and cultural pride on a global stage. It also highlights the continued growth of dance sport in Seychelles and the commitment of local institutions to developing young talent.
As the team travels to Warsaw, expectations remain high following last year’s success. With strong leadership, rigorous training, and a diverse group of dancers, Artistic Dance Factory Seychelles aims to once again deliver outstanding results and proudly represent the nation.
Contributed