Nigerians quiver as slap fighting debuts

According to a Greek philosopher Heraclitus “change is the only constant in life”. This means that the world is always changing and so are people.

As change is a constant thing in life, it is also unavoidable and being afraid of change is normal as it is in the case of slap fight, a new sport that is set to debut in Nigeria before the end of this year.

• North Central can produce president, APC national chair – Al-Makura
• THE BEARING: Should a woman propose to a man?

Slap fighting is a combat sport, or at least, a self-proclaimed combat sport. In playing it, two men stand face to face and take turns slapping one another with bare hands without head protection.

The competitors take turns to slap one another hard around the face on the cheek with an open hand. Each man has five attempts at slapping his opponent down with the winner decided by a knock-out or a judge’s verdict

It may be new in Nigeria but slap fight has since taken roots in USA, Britain, Poland, Russia and South Africa where it is gaining popularity by the day. However, Nigerians have continued to express mixed reactions as plans have reached an advanced stage for the sport to debut in the country.

Although many shudder at the thought of taking part in the new sport, it may not be as barbaric as one may be tempted to believe. This is because the game is currently regulated by Slapfight championship and the World Slapfight Alliances which have lined out some dos and don’ts for competitors.

As if they are of weaker sex, the female version of the sport is known as butt-slapping. It involves female competitors spanking each other as hard as possible, and the goal is to make the person you’re spanking take a step forward. The first ever Booty-Slapping Championship was just held in Siberia. For now, it is slap fighting that is at the verge of making its debut in Nigeria.

Abdulrahman Orosanya, the Executive Director, TKK Sport, promoter of Slap Fight Nigeria, who disclosed this in a statement in Lagos gave October as the month for the inaugural edition to be staged. But with a day to the end of October, it means Nigerians will have to look forward to the title fight which he said would be held in December also in Lagos.

Orosanya said that the competition would be in four categories: Middleweight, Lightweight, Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight.

“The rules of the competition are simple. Fighters compete with each other on the principles of the knockout stage.

“Two men stand face to face and take turns slapping one another with bare hands without head protection. The competitors take turns to slap one another hard around the face on the cheek with an open hand.”

Orosanya stated further that: “One of the principal rules is that only the upper part of the palm can be used to strike only the cheek, without touching the jaw, temple or ear of the opponent.

“The championship is open to all world-class competitors, high-profile influencers, and smack-talking rivals give and take their best shot to settle beefs and win the hard way,” he said in a statement.

However, when contacted by Trust Sports, the Director, Federation of Elites Athletes Department (FEAD) in the federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Simeon Ebhojiaye said the Ministry was not aware of the sports and the planned competition.

 “I am not yet aware of this event, as I haven’t got any information on it,” he said.

He, however, said the ministry may accept the sport depending on how it is presented to it,

“It depends on what angle the approach is and for what purpose,” he noted.

The Medical Director of JEC Hospital Suleja, Dr. John Ogbadu who spoke to our reporter wondered why a right thinking person would want to take humanity back to the Stone Age.

He said “First we should ask ourselves what is the benefit of sports? In the medieval times, sporting activities were used for fitness, health purposes and entertainment. So for any sport we are talking about we should be asking ourselves, does it have health or entertainment benefits?

“People may ask what about boxing or wrestling? But these sports have evolved over time and to a level that they are now wearing protective gears and certain parts of the body are well protected.

“I think we should be moving towards protecting athletes from unnecessary damages now and in the future. That is why even in football, referees have been told to stop play, if there is any head injury. And to protect players’ future, some are proposing that heading in football should be banned.

“So why are we going back to slapping one another on the cheeks with bare hands? Of course some people who are sadistic by nature may enjoy it but it is dangerous. To me, it is a serious drawback. It is not something that should be encouraged in modern times.”

In the same vein, another medical practitioner who is based in Ireland, Dr Bamidele Ogunsola, said the competition is medically harmful to the participants.

“It will lead to early grave and cause brain trauma for the players. It is not safe at all,” he opined.

Similarly, most Nigerians who spoke to Trust Sports on the ‘new sport’ expressed skepticism and declined support for it.

A television presenter, Rachael Egbunu, said she doesn’t support the sport and can’t see it as one.

“I don’t welcome it. I don’t see it as a game. I can’t imagine someone slapping another person in the name of sport. When the slap gets too hot, it will become something else and I will be worried how the whole thing will end,” she said.

A video editor and graphics designer, Naomi Akinwale said “I don’t even have the stamina. Normally, I can’t withstand being slapped. I will give up before it even starts. I can take punches but not slaps,” she noted.

Esther James, a fresh graduate from Jos Polytechnic said “It’s not funny. I will end up fighting because it will provoke me. My cheeks will be hot since I cherish them. Even if the money is in millions, I will forfeit,” she stated.

A photographer, Ayo Adegboyejo said “I can’t do it but it is a great sport. Boxers and wrestlers will not mind doing it. Since I don’t fight, I can’t do it,” he said.

From all indications, slap fighting is for the brave. It is left to be seen how it will be received by Nigerians when eventually launched by trail blazers like Abdulrahman Oros