The Africa Fighters League (AFL) is preparing to launch a new league that will showcase the traditional Nigerian martial art, Dambe Warriors League (DWL).
The league, which is set to kick off this September 2023, aims to refine Dambe into a regulated sport that emphasises bravery and unity to yield positive outcomes.
And also to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria through this unique form of combat sports. Dambe is a traditional martial art which originated among the Hausa people in northern Nigeria. It began as a form of self-defence and a means of settling disputes, originally intertwined with harvest festivals and serving as demonstrations of young men’s strength.
Dambe has found a new platform for expression and growth with DWL, which commits to preserving the legacy and traditions of Dambe while empowering its young warriors and strengthening communities across Nigeria.
Co-founders of AFL and DWL, Hugh Guill and Kinglsey Pungong, jointly share, “We want Nigerians to take pride in the cultural export that Dambe represents and have our sights set on providing all Nigerians access to world-class Dambe fights and premium content.
“Chidi Anyina and Anthony Okeleke, Dambe sports promotion company founders have done a phenomenal job cultivating a Dambe network over these past years, and now DWL is working tirelessly to make our new vision a reality.
The primary objective of the DWL is to harness, polish, and effectively distribute the Dambe ecosystem, while always preserving the tradition, honour, and will that has driven the sport forward for centuries.
“We are excited about the potential of Dambe on a domestic and global scale and we are committed to showcasing its rich heritage while propelling it into the future.”