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Young dancers practise for World Cup
posted on 23/11/2009
 Sammy Moore's eyes brighten and he speaks with the confidence of someone with twice his 14 years. "I want to go to Hollywood,” he says. Crowds of children of a similar age mingle behind him, their closeness a reflection of the ties they established at Dubai's drama schools.
"You have to dream big. This is a good start,” he laughs.
The pupil at Wellington International School is one of up to 400 children who will perform in front of several thousand people in the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi next month.
Many millions more people worldwide will be watching the performance on television.
Sammy, who has lived in Dubai for eight years, is a Manchester United fan. And although his beloved team may not be playing in the capital, he is looking forward to showcasing his talent.
"This is giving me the chance to be in front of millions of people,” he said. "It's so exciting.”
Three hundred amateurs between the ages of 13 and 16 open the football tournament while 400 will wrap it up − with a team of just 20 professionals to tie things together.
With the Eid and National Day holidays coming up, there are just six days of rehearsals instead of 10, consisting of three to four hours of training per session − meaning the pressure is high to make the performance perfect.
The event is being planned by a British choreographer and dancer, Wanda Rokicki, 53, who started her professional career in London in 1973 and danced until 1985.
More recently, she has worked behind the scenes at events such as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Within minutes of performing yesterday, the keen youngsters had already pulled together the start of a promising performance, dancing to Spanish beats and getting a flavour of what is yet to come, the air buzzing with excitement and the chatter of budding stars.
The Club World Cup is not by any means the largest event Ms Rokicki has choreographed, but it is one of the most challenging as she has struggled to find volunteers.
Six continental club champions, including the Spanish giants Barcelona, will join the UAE Pro League champions Al Ahli for the tournament in the capital starting on December 9.
The opening ceremony will take place at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and will have a UAE theme, although each of the seven participating countries will have its own tribute during the show.
The children will come on to the pitch in seven dhows, one for each country in the tournament.
Some will form a human football while two young children recite poetry in both Arabic and English.
Many of the teenagers taking part attend the Thursday sessions of Diverse Choreography in Dubai, which has provided the show's professionals.
Both boys and girls crowded into yesterday's first auditions hoping to take part in something bigger than any of them have known.
The dancers represent the UAE's tapestry of nationalities.
Marcus Bell was the lead dancer in a production of High School Musical 2 at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre. "I'd love to be a performer but the chances are quite slim so I'm making the most of these kinds of opportunities while I can,” he said.
Tallulah de Castroy-Gray, 13, who is half Brazilian and half English, is already grade seven in ballet. She loves dance and says that performing arts are popular at her school, Repton, in Dubai.
Sitara Chawla, who grew up in Pakistan, says that her parents are more than happy for their daughter to take part in such a big event for the UAE "as long as it is within my limits and is respectful”.
Rachelle Davis, 26, is one of the professionals who will be lending her talents to the show. Since arriving in Dubai from South Africa a year ago, she says her opportunities have opened up.
She has performed at the grand opening of the Atlantis hotel, opening for the pop star Kylie Minogue. "Companies here don't realise how many talented people there are here and still prefer to fly people in, but we're all here and it's a great place to work,” she said. – The National
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