Russia invites SA to rock 'n' roll

"At least three African countries should practice this sport. We started with South Africa, which is our Brics partner," Vladimir Prokhorov, head of the sport organisation Youth of Moscow, told Itar-Tass on Monday, 29 April 2013.

The Russian Federation of Acrobatic Rock 'n' Roll, where Prokhorov is a member of the Board of Trustees, is promoting the sport around the world at the request of the World Rock 'n' Roll Confederation.

"I am convinced that acrobatic rock 'n' roll can become an Olympic sport in twelve years," Prokhorov said.

The World Confederation will provide financial support and coaches to the federations that will promote rock 'n' roll in Africa and organise master classes for them.

Ilya Mogilner, acrobatic rock 'n' roll world champion in 2012, did not disclose the prize sum paid to the winners of international competitions but said that it is "big enough to attract young people."

"When it becomes an Olympic sport, the sum will increase," he told Itar-Tass at the presentation.

European champion Maria Akhadova likes the atmosphere in acrobatic rock 'n' roll. "It's an exciting pastime, a real holiday," she said.

Musa Mdluli, CEO of South Africa's Khuphuka Investment Holdings, who studied in the Soviet Union, speaks fluent Russian and organises sport exchanges between his country and Russia, believes the new sport needs "good marketing" in South Africa. "Young guys will like it," he told Itar-Tass.