ON Monday, Jamaica will begin its quest to regain the World Reggae Dance Championship at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew.

The action is slated for an 8:00 pm start. Juliet Cowan-Morgan, competition coordinator at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, thinks the Jamaica contingent might have the chops this year.

“The vibe is great, the enthusiasm is high. Last week, we had one week of intensive workshop with all the finalists and the feedback is good,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

For the last two years, the competition was won by Ivan Squad and Attack Dem Squad from Japan. Yallow Yellow, from Japan, placed second in 2013.

The five-member JA to JA is this year’s group from Japan. Among the 12 local finalists are Overload Skankers, Dynamic Team, Str8edge Society, Flava Flava Dancers and Untouchable Squad.

The local finalists have been given coaching sessions by brothers Matthew Richard and Conroy Richard of dance troupe Shady Squad, and Chad ‘Global Bob’ Torrington. Cowan-Morgan said “the JCDC has increased the duration of the workshops compared to other years to assist the groups with their skills, stage presentation and choreography.

In regards to the Jamaicans, they have improved significantly compared to previous years and in interacting with them I can see that they are eager for the Championship title this year.”

The JCDC World Reggae Dance Championship began in 2006 in an effort to give national and international exposure to talent that exists in reggae, roots and dancehall genres.

The championship has received wide support from Jamaican and overseas talents, including from the Caribbean. Dancehall artistes Voicemail and Mr Vegas will provide entertainment for the finals.