Oman-based team qualifies for world hip hop competition

Muscat: A group of dancers based in Oman are all set to represent Team Oman in a unique form of competition, also called the ‘Olympics of dance’ — the HHI world championships.

This is an annual event organised by the ‘World Hip Hop International’ based in the US. The Hip Hop International, headquartered in Los Angeles in the United States, and founded in 2002, is the largest hip hop dance organisation in the world, including 55 countries across six continents, and conducts 100 championships annually.

“We are proud to be part of World HHI 22, where we will be representing Oman,” says Tejas Udani Gupta, Director of the Oman franchisee of the World HHI Organisation adding that “its around 8 years when we saw a group of young Omanis practising hip hop in the Shatti beach area.

“I was excited and asked them if they were preparing for the hip hop contest. Since then this idea has been going around, but we were not able to qualify for the contest.  Finally, after a consistent endeavour, Team Oman will be the first participant from the Middle East region to qualify for the World HHI contest.

“We have hired one of the best trainers from Kings Unite India, which has performed at least twice on the World HHI platform and also won medals. He will be in Muscat for an intensive training session and will also travel to the US along with team,” said  Tejas.

Gupta further said they have been conducting a talent hunt all this while and have also shortlisted boys and girls for the performance in the US this year. There are some Omanis too who could be part of this event, said Nadeem Al Balushi, founder of Sadan Music Institute, franchisee of World HHI.

Nadeem said he is in contact with many Omanis and non-Omanis who are interested in participating in the event. Of course, there are challenges like taking ten-day time-off for the trip to the US and some financial constraints, but they are working on it and will overcome them sooner than later.  

Nadeem added that there were some Omani companies which had shown interest in supporting the team for the world dancing event. The team, including the support staff would be leaving for the US in the first week of August. We are also looking forward to getting the support of residents and citizens of Oman, said Nadeem.