House Arewa clinched victory at the first-ever Emir Ado Bayero Dambe Championship Cup, triumphing in a thrilling two-day Dambe competition at Dorayi Palace in Kano, Nigeria.
The championship, organized by the African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC), showcased the rich cultural tradition of Dambe boxing and was a key component of the year-long Legacy of Tradition festival, highlighting Kano Culture in collaboration with the Kano Emirate Council.
Sixteen athletes from the three Dambe houses—Arewa, Kudawa, and Gurumada—competed in eight intense bouts.
House Arewa dominated the competition, securing victory in six out of eight bouts and ultimately claiming the prestigious Emir’s Cup.
The trophy was presented to House Arewa by His Royal Highness, The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, CFR CNOL JP.
The event drew an impressive crowd of over 5000 spectators, while those unable to attend in person tuned in via AWFC, ARTV, and Legacy of Traditions’ social media handles.
His Royal Highness, The Emir of Kano, expressed his delight after the event, stating, “The Emir’s Cup is a celebration of our cultural roots.
As the cultural custodian of Kano, I have long been a supporter of Dambe, and I would like to see the sport continue to reach new heights.
We are proud to support the African Warriors Fighting Championship and the Legacy of Traditions in promoting our customs globally.”
Maxwell Kalu, the Founder of the African Warriors Fighting Championship, described the Emir’s Cup as a significant spectacle that showcased the unifying power of sport.
He expressed excitement about the future editions of the Emir’s Cup, emphasizing the rapid growth of Dambe in Nigeria and worldwide.
Kalu stated, “This is just the beginning, and we are already excited to deliver the next edition of the Emir’s Cup. Dambe is growing rapidly both in Nigeria and globally, and we look forward to building the Emir’s Cup into the premier event in the Dambe calendar.
I would like to thank His Royal Highness, The Emir of Kano, for his support and thank the people of Kano for embracing the African Warriors Fighting Championship as we continue our mission of taking Dambe to new heights.”
Nere Emiko, Director of Legacy of Traditions, expressed her appreciation for the collaboration with the Kano Emirate Council and the people of Kano.
She described the Emir’s Cup as a true reflection of Dambe’s enduring legacy, blending traditions with the essence of sport.
Emiko added, “The Emir’s Cup is a true reflection of Dambe’s lasting legacy, blending traditions with the essence of sport.
It’s an honor to have been part of this collaboration with the Kano Emirate Council on this cultural journey.
The support from the Kano Emirates Council and the people of Kano has been pivotal to the success of this initiative.”
