Dancing not a sport? 'Feminine' in nature?
When young people think of sport, 400metre running or rules football or rugby come to mind. In these sports, you win by meeting a well defined criterion (just get to the finish line first, for example).
In dancing, the winner wins because a group of people think that a particular couple 'look' best. It's very subjective and there are very few well defined criteria that the winners have to meet. Dancing is clearly more like ballet (an obvious art form) than 400 metre running (an obvious sport) and if Michael Johnson (400metre world champion)were judged by 'dancing' criteria, he would be disqualified in the first round because his style is too 'upright'!.
But of course, there are sporting elements in dancing - you need to be fit (for competition dancing) and flexible
It's considered feminine i think because dancers have to use their bodies in certain ways and show off and generally look appealing to a spectator (competition dancing i'm realy talking about here) These are not 'macho' things. Male ballet dancers are considered 'cissy' by a lot of people. These are not my views, i hasten to add - i'm just trying to suggest reasons for why things are as they are.
To make dancing more popular??? - we must emphasise the positive. And it's only males who need to be convinced. I've fairly recently come to competitive dancing (in the last 3 years) after 30 years of competitive sport (i started young!)and i'm male.
Some positive things: it's a great way to socialise, have a lot of fun and meet people. Men who can dance well are in GREAT demand at dances.
It improves the way you move and improves your appearance, as you have to stop slouching and learn to have good posture.
It's beneficial to the brain - i'm told that the right and left sides of the brain are used equally in dancing. Having to listen and interpret music while dancing and moving with a partner among other dancers on the floor is a skill which takes some learning.
You can continue to dance all your life. And for older people (i know this won't appeal to young males, but i'll say it anyway) it is one of the best ways to keep fit - MUCH better than walking. just take a look at older dancers - they have great carriage and 'grace'

i hope you get lots of ideas to make dancing more popular - please keep us informed of them - we always need ideas