An improved version of a traditional Dambe fight tournament is said to be improving the livelihoods of the warriors as well as rewarding their talents in Kano State.
Dambe Warriors – a super fight league has engaged and signed on at least 18 fighters in the lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight league rankings.
According to the co-organiser of the tournament, Chidi Anyina, the effort is aimed at promoting the traditional Dambe tourney to a world-class stage reaching out to a wider audience and sports lovers around the world.
He said, “We have put on the warriors on a salary, appearance fees, bonuses and those that get to the finals automatically get N500,000 and the winner goes home with N1 million.
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“Every month a fighter gets a minimum of N400,000 to N800,000. Throughout the season they end up with nothing less than N3 million all within three months of the season.
“They are now gaining from talents. We want to take it as far as it should be and attract attention all around the world.”
Daily Trust reports that the warriors were used to earning less than N10,000 which inevitably discouraged many from showing dedication and commitment to the sport.
However, with the coming on board of the new sponsors things have changed positively and the athletes are smiling to the banks.