In an exclusive interview with Sports247, the Vice President of Nigerian Traditional Sports, Bash Augusto, shared insights on the ongoing Ram charging competition and its growing popularity.
Ram charging, a traditional sport that involves rams butting heads in a test of strength and endurance, is gaining traction in Nigeria. Major organizations like Bet9Ja are showing interest in broadcasting the sport on their screens, similar to football. “They can bet directly on the outcome,” Augusto said, highlighting the potential for the sport to enter the mainstream betting scene.
However, predicting the outcome of a Ram charging match is not straightforward. “It’s very difficult to predict the winner. Once one is winning, all of a sudden the game changes, another one wins,” Augusto explained. This unpredictability adds to the excitement of the sport, making it a thrilling spectacle for viewers and bettors alike.
The rams participating in the competition, referred to as ‘confirmed rams’, are known fighters. Matches are judged on various factors, including the number of hits a ram can land and how many times it falls down. “We must have some points because when it gets, maybe we say they should hit 30 hits. So we have to judge each point on points how many times he fell down or something like that for us to decide who is the winner,” Augusto elaborated.
The rise of Ram charging in Nigeria is a testament to the rich diversity of traditional sports in the country. As the competition continues to gain momentum, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and impacts the broader sports landscape in Nigeria.
