Govts Urged To Support Traditional Combat Sports

The Federation of Traditional Sports (FTS) has called on both the federal and state governments to support the traditional combat sport (Dembe) by upgrade it to international standard.

FTS’ national chairman, Olomo Agbada Milla, made the call on Sunday in Kano during the finals of Dambe Warriors League.

“I am very happy to be part of this occasion. This is my first time in Kano for this type of occasion and I am happy the private sector is collaborating with the Federation, that is a good partnership in the development of traditional sport.

“I want to call on the federal and state governments to support traditional sports and upgrade  them to meet global standards,” he stated.

The Dambe Warriors League held it’s finals in Kano on Sunday where winners in the various categories of light, middle and heavy weights smiled home with mouthwatering cash prizes between N500,000 and N1 million.

Three winners of the middle weight categories were signed up as professional traditional boxers that will be receiving a monthly salary of N600,000 next season.

Addressing newsmen, co-founder of the Dambe Warriors League, Chidi Anyina, said for the first time under Dambe (Traditional Boxing), fighters are placed under contract all in a bid to develop the sport to international standards.

“For the first time under Dambe History that fighters are under contract. The contract has conditions and penalties. There is money attached to it between N400,000 to N600,000 every month depending on their categories.

“When they get to the finals they will get N500,000 and the winners today will get N1 million” he said.

He said they are on a journey to ensure that they promote the Dambe traditional boxing to global standard.