By Bashir Bello

KANO — As the Dambe Warriors League enters season 2, Traditional wrestler, Ali Kanin Bello has emerged top on the heavyweight category ranking in the ongoing season.

A ranking list released by the organizers of the league, shows that Bello emerged top after throwing his weight against his close rival, Dogon Shamsu in an intense fight in Kano.

With the development, Bello has maintained a lead in the local wrestling as the undefeatable force in the season.

Speaking with newsmen during the circuit 9 fight of the season, the Co-organizer of the Dambe Warriors League, Chidi Ayina said the Kano encounter is crucial as it is the determinant of the ranking.

Ayina said, “Before coming to Kano, we started up in Lagos, we then moved to Minna in Niger State, we went to Abuja and then we are having the fourth round in Kano before we end up in Lagos in 2 weeks time.

“So this Kano event is critical in the ranking. Whoever wins today will determine how the ranking board will be. In such a way that the top two will qualify to the finals in Lagos. And the last two will leave the league. So they are fighting for their lives this time around because the winners will be elevated while losers will descend,” he said.

The Co-founder also shared insights into the league’s efforts to elevate traditional wrestling to a global platform.

“Right now, Dambe Warriors have put them on a salary, appearance fees, bonuses. Infact, those that will get to the finals will N500,000 automatically. While those that wins will get N1 million. So they get about N400 to N800 monthly, a total of about N3.5million for the season (within a three months period). This is against the backdrop of what is obtainable in the past where they fight and were paid N200, N500, N1,000. Now they are earning for their talent.

“We are increasing the value and volume of the league. Last finals we have it in Kano, but this time around we are going to have the finals in Lagos which will see dignitaries from around the country.

“The last time we have someone from Saudi Arabia, we are bringing fighter from around the world to make an international league. We are definitely going to make Dambe as international as it ought to be and attract eyeballs from around the world.

“Already, on our YouTube, we have viewers from United State and Philippines, people are telling us they want to come and fight Dambe from Paris, all over the world. Right now, we want to them and internationalize the sport,” Ayina stated.

Meanwhile, in other categories, Yarmage leads the lightweight table, while Ramadan takes the top spot in the middleweight category, following their respective victories.