A groundbreaking sponsorship agreement has been reached between the African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC) and Stake.com, the leading crypto betting platform, marking Stake’s inaugural partnership in Africa. The AWFC is the foremost promoter of Dambe, the traditional Nigerian boxing style.
Stake.com, already a prominent sponsor of the UFC and Nigerian UFC Champion Israel Adesanya, has expanded its sponsorship endeavors to include the vibrant world of African combat sports.
The partnership will witness Stake’s brand prominently featured in AWFC events, with logo placements on athlete and official uniforms, as well as within the fight arena. Furthermore, Stake will gain exposure across AWFC’s digital platforms, ensuring widespread visibility throughout the organization’s captivating Dambe content.
Founded in 2019 by Maxwell Kalu, the AWFC strives to generate global interest and recognition for Dambe, a distinctive form of Nigerian boxing. Dambe enjoys immense popularity in Nigeria and has garnered a substantial international following, accumulating hundreds of millions of online views.
A key objective of the AWFC is to enhance health and safety standards in Dambe, a historically informal sport with centuries of tradition. The organization has introduced the first unified ruleset for Dambe and spearheaded the presence of medical personnel at events, prioritizing the well-being of athletes.
In Dambe matches, fighters are permitted to strike with a tightly wrapped hand called “the spear.” The other hand acts defensively and is known as “the shield.” Athletes are also allowed to employ kicks using both legs. AWFC Dambe matches consist of three rounds, with victory achieved by knocking out an opponent or causing their hand, knee, or back to touch the ground.
Maxwell Kalu, CEO of AWFC, expressed his excitement regarding the partnership with Stake, highlighting its significance for African combat sports and its instrumental role in advancing Dambe on the global stage. He emphasized the ancient, intense, and culturally rich nature of Dambe, asserting its distinctiveness among combat sports worldwide.
Kalu also conveyed his pride in being Stake’s first African partner and conveyed his commitment to assisting the brand in expanding its user base across the continent, while raising awareness of Dambe.
Akhil Sarin, Director of Acquisitions at Stake.com, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, acknowledging AWFC as an emerging brand with tremendous potential for the sport of Dambe. He underscored Stake’s established reputation in combat sports partnerships and considered the addition of Dambe to their portfolio as a significant stride forward, especially in their quest for growth in the African market.
The partnership between AWFC and Stake.com signifies a momentous occasion for African combat sports, opening up new avenues for the promotion and recognition of Dambe. With Stake’s support and endorsement, the AWFC will continue to shape the trajectory of Dambe’s global expansion, captivating combat sports enthusiasts worldwide with its rich heritage, intense battles, and distinctive fighting style. This collaboration reinforces Stake.com’s commitment to combat sports and its determination to establish a formidable presence in the African sports market.
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