Two prominent United States sports envoys Macca Malik, AKA B-Girl, and Jacob “Kujo” Lyons, have trained some selected Nigerian dancers on the art of breakdancing.
The duo charged the youths to embrace the sport and enhance their skills to enable them to participate in future Olympic competitions.
They made the call during their grand performance hosted by the U.S. embassy’s public diplomacy section, in collaboration with the FAME Foundation, on Wednesday night, in Abuja.
Breakdancing, an officially recognised Olympic sport, is set to debut at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
According to the embassy, Macca Malik [aka B-Girl], who is a top female competitor in the breakdancing scene brings visibility to women in a male dominated sport, while Jacob “Kujo” Lyons represents the deaf and hard of hearing community in breaking.
Addressing journalists at the end of the training session organised in collaboration with the FAME foundation, the envoys commended the enthusiasm displayed by the youths.
They, therefore, urged the Nigerian government to consider investing in breakdancing infrastructure and training programmes to meet the international standard.
B-Girl said: “This is actually my first time in Nigeria, and then teaching workshops here in Nigeria, with the US Embassy, for me, it’s just the energy that has been so amazing to see it within the breakers here.
“You know, it’s just that impactful energy that they have, and there’s a lot of so much opportunity that I can see within that community. It seems like it’s a very strong community.
“Very supportive community of breakers that are amongst each other, and that are extremely willing to learn and take in information to better themselves.”
Speaking from the disabled angle, Lyons said: “Where it’s difficult or impossible to hear the beats, then, there are a couple of options.
“You’ve all probably heard that the deaf can hear vibrations on the floor, we can to a point, but once we start moving, especially spinning and flipping and flying, you can’t feel the vibrations anymore”, he said.
“We urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to consider investing in breakdancing infrastructure and training programmes.
“The substantial positive impacts of such endeavours will be felt in youth empowerment, skill enhancement, and international representation are undeniable,”the dancer added.
Also speaking, the executive director of the FAME Foundation.Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, expressed gratitude to the U.S. sports envoys for providing Nigerian breakdancers with valuable guidance to pursue success.
“We believe that through this training, Nigeria can progress towards meeting international standards in breakdancing and prepare its youth for Olympic participation.
“The encouragement from the U.S. sports envoys reminds us of the transformative impact of investing in diverse artistic expressions and athletic pursuits.
“While the Nigerian breakdancers may not partake in this year’s Olympic competition, this training equips them to compete effectively in future events,” she said.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, John Enoh, represented by Orok Effanga, also pledged the ministry’s unwavering dedication to promote and facilitate the growth of breakdancing in Nigeria.
