Maseru — A disappointed Lesotho Ballroom Dance Association team returned home on Sunday after week of common language "DANCE" in Sun City, South Africa.

The team comprising seven couples from Image and Lerato Dance Clubs based in Maseru, was eliminated in the qualifying rounds of the dance competition in their different categories. The highest level reached was by four of the couples who were on the qualifying rounds before the finals.

The team had initially registered ten couples but three fell-off after experiencing a number of problems and one dance member had died in a car accident a weekend before the competition. Though the team did not get through to the finals, a lot of potential was realized by participating teams from all over.

For instance, most of the couples ended up registering in the categories below their level aiming to win some training vouchers which were on offer. This did not trick the judges who were quick to realize and layoff their eyes on such dancers.

Others came late to the competition trying to cut on costs of staying and they found their categories had already been done. Said one member of the Lesotho dance team: "We never get opportunities to be engaged in high level dance training because we are not registered with the South Africa Associations," he said adding that there is need for more local support so that Basotho dancers can be able to compete at the highest level.

Another problem pointed out by the dancers is that fact that the high level of dancing requires a lot of support, like proper attire which digs heavily from the purse. The dancers also need enough time to prepare for the competitions which is never there because on the other side they have to make ends meet to pay for their own fares and accommodation whenever they go out of the country.

The Rumba in the Jingle competition which Lesotho has just participated in is held annually in Sun City and attracts dancers from all over the world.