Latest news with #WAFC
eNCA
28-06-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Nigerian Dambe boxing goes global -- amulets and charms included
The first strikes in Dambe are thrown before the boxers even leave their house. Fighters don charms and amulets, dye their fist or even score their arm with a razor, inserting traditional medicine before it scars over -- all guaranteed to protect them in the ring or deliver a knock-out punch. Combined with prayers from "mallams", or spiritual guides, they are unstoppable -- not just in Nigeria, but increasingly around the world. The Dambe World Series kicked off in Abuja, the capital, on Saturday in the latest evolution of a sport that traces its roots back centuries among west Africa's Hausa speakers. "Instead of trying to Westernise it, or instead of trying to make it something else, for us the goal is to professionalise it," said Maxwell Kalu, founder of the West African Fighting Championship, the group organising the tournament. At the same time, a key goal is also "opening the door in terms of inviting people to compete in Nigeria". Held on the ground of the national stadium and broadcast by DAZN, a British sports streaming service, the tournament is a far cry from the social tradition said to have been organised by 10th-century Hausa butchers. "This one is big, I'm very happy," said Abdullahi "Coronavirus" Ali, a 20-year-old who has been fighting since he was a child. "The audience is growing every day." As Coronavirus -- nicknamed so for his ferocious punches -- spoke to AFP, two amateur fighters worked the ring behind him, in a pre-tournament exhibition match in Dei Dei, a working-class Abuja exurb. Chickens pecked under the rickety wooden stands while cigarette smoke wafted above the crowd. In Dambe, in lieu of a glove, the fighters each have one fist tightly bound in rope -- their striking arm. The other hand reaches out, feeling the space between the opponents and looking for something to grab or parry before the fighting arm whips forward as if from a loaded spring. Amid the blows, one fighter lost his balance and fell -- a "kill". The round was over. - Domestic, international expansion - Dambe might have once seemed destined to be confined to the margins in places like Dei Dei as Abuja's elite paved over anything standing in the way of modern skyscrapers and highways. Slowly, the government has taken more interest in preserving and promoting the sport, as have private groups like the WAFC. AFP | OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT With the advent of YouTube and Instagram, Dambe now attracts fans across the world, with one promoter telling BBC in 2017 that 60 percent of his viewers were from outside Nigeria. The sport has also grown at home. In 2018, a Dambe match in the southern city of Lagos drew in spectators curious about their northern countrymen's pastime -- and excited to see it in a proper stadium. Earlier this month, athletes from across the continent descended on the megacity for the African Knockout Championship, a Western-style mixed martial arts tournament. AFP | OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT But Kalu envisions the opposite: foreigners making their way to witness a distinctively Nigerian way of fighting. Professionalisation also brings the opportunity to bring in safety protocols and stable salaries to the otherwise unregulated combat sport. "If I get married, I won't allow my children to do it," said Usman Abubakar, 20, his fist dyed a dark henna colour and arm replete with charmed scars, recalling an injury to the chest that saw him sit out for two years. - Foreigners welcome - Saturday's fighters will be competing to represent Nigeria in what is envisioned as a multi-stage, international series. Last year, supported by the WAFC, British national Luke Leyland travelled from Liverpool to compete in a Dambe match -- reportedly the first white fighter to ever do so. AFP | OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT He was "destroyed", according to one local media report, though he wrote positively of the experience. Nigerian fighters remain cool on the idea of sharing the spoils of victory. Asked what would happen if non-Nigerians started competing, "Coronavirus", Abubakar and a third fighter, Anas Hamisu, were all excited at the prospect of more people embracing their sport. But they also all shared the same prediction: the Nigerians would win. nro/sbk By Nicholas Roll
France 24
28-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Nigerian Dambe boxing goes global -- amulets and charms included
Fighters don charms and amulets, dye their fist or even score their arm with a razor, inserting traditional medicine before it scars over -- all guaranteed to protect them in the ring or deliver a knock-out punch. Combined with prayers from "mallams", or spiritual guides, they are unstoppable -- not just in Nigeria, but increasingly around the world. The Dambe World Series kicked off in Abuja, the capital, on Saturday in the latest evolution of a sport that traces its roots back centuries among west Africa's Hausa speakers. "Instead of trying to Westernise it, or instead of trying to make it something else, for us the goal is to professionalise it," said Maxwell Kalu, founder of the West African Fighting Championship, the group organising the tournament. At the same time, a key goal is also "opening the door in terms of inviting people to compete in Nigeria". Held on the ground of the national stadium and broadcast by DAZN, a British sports streaming service, the tournament is a far cry from the social tradition said to have been organised by 10th-century Hausa butchers. "This one is big, I'm very happy," said Abdullahi "Coronavirus" Ali, a 20-year-old who has been fighting since he was a child. "The audience is growing every day." As Coronavirus -- nicknamed so for his ferocious punches -- spoke to AFP, two amateur fighters worked the ring behind him, in a pre-tournament exhibition match in Dei Dei, a working-class Abuja exurb. Chickens pecked under the rickety wooden stands while cigarette smoke wafted above the crowd. In Dambe, in lieu of a glove, the fighters each have one fist tightly bound in rope -- their striking arm. The other hand reaches out, feeling the space between the opponents and looking for something to grab or parry before the fighting arm whips forward as if from a loaded spring. Amid the blows, one fighter lost his balance and fell -- a "kill". The round was over. Domestic, international expansion Dambe might have once seemed destined to be confined to the margins in places like Dei Dei as Abuja's elite paved over anything standing in the way of modern skyscrapers and highways. Slowly, the government has taken more interest in preserving and promoting the sport, as have private groups like the WAFC. With the advent of YouTube and Instagram, Dambe now attracts fans across the world, with one promoter telling BBC in 2017 that 60 percent of his viewers were from outside Nigeria. The sport has also grown at home. In 2018, a Dambe match in the southern city of Lagos drew in spectators curious about their northern countrymen's pastime -- and excited to see it in a proper stadium. Earlier this month, athletes from across the continent descended on the megacity for the African Knockout Championship, a Western-style mixed martial arts tournament. But Kalu envisions the opposite: foreigners making their way to witness a distinctively Nigerian way of fighting. Professionalisation also brings the opportunity to bring in safety protocols and stable salaries to the otherwise unregulated combat sport. "If I get married, I won't allow my children to do it," said Usman Abubakar, 20, his fist dyed a dark henna colour and arm replete with charmed scars, recalling an injury to the chest that saw him sit out for two years. Foreigners welcome Saturday's fighters will be competing to represent Nigeria in what is envisioned as a multi-stage, international series. Last year, supported by the WAFC, British national Luke Leyland travelled from Liverpool to compete in a Dambe match -- reportedly the first white fighter to ever do so. He was "destroyed", according to one local media report, though he wrote positively of the experience. Nigerian fighters remain cool on the idea of sharing the spoils of victory. Asked what would happen if non-Nigerians started competing, "Coronavirus", Abubakar and a third fighter, Anas Hamisu, were all excited at the prospect of more people embracing their sport. But they also all shared the same prediction: the Nigerians would win. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
West Amwell Fire Company celebrates 75 years of service
Hunterdon County Commissioner Zach Rich joined the West Amwell Fire Company (WAFC) June 14 in celebrating its 75th anniversary, commemorating decades of service and dedication to the local community. Rich presented a proclamation on behalf of the commissioners in recognition of the milestone, highlighting the fire company's commitment to fire protection and rescue services since its inception. 'For 75 years, the West Amwell Fire Company has stood as a pillar of strength and resilience,' Rich stated. 'I would like to thank the men and women of the WAFC for their commitment and selfless service in protecting lives and property. Their sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and today we celebrate their lasting impact on the safety and well-being of our residents.' Founded in the late 1940s, the West Amwell Fire Company has served the residents of West Amwell Township and parts of Delaware Township. What began as a small group of dedicated volunteers has grown into a modern, well-equipped department operating out of two stations. Today, the company maintains a diverse fleet ― including a ladder truck, engine, rescue vehicles, brush trucks, and watercraft ― supporting both fire suppression and rescue operations. 'As a long-time West Amwell resident, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and courage of this Fire Company. These are not just first responders ― they are neighbors, friends, and the heart of this township,' Rich stated. The 75th anniversary celebration was marked by tributes, shared stories and reaffirmation of the fire company's mission. Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for This article originally appeared on West Amwell NJ Fire Company celebrates 75 years of service
Business Journals
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Phoenix College retail management certificate advances food industry career opportunities
The share of U.S. households buying groceries online has more than doubled since the onset of Covid-19. That's according to a recent report in Digital 360 Commerce that notes that March 2025 marked the eighth straight month in which online grocery sales topped $9.5 billion. These long-term shifts in consumer behavior highlight the complexities of the grocery industry: the intricacies of supply chains, evolving consumer preferences, and the impact of technology. Yet, according to IBIS World, grocery store revenue in the U.S. is currently $883.1 billion, a number that's expected to continue to grow. Before the pandemic, visionary executives in the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) had the foresight to acknowledge the grocery store workforce needed additional skills to address the complexities of the business and ongoing challenges. In 2000, WAFC leaders began a collaborative partnership with community colleges to develop the Retail Management Certificate (RMC), blending industry-specific knowledge with essential business skills in an eight-course program. "Historically, education is not at the forefront of the conversation for grocery retail team members," said Courtney Dulle, manager of talent and leadership for The Raley's Companies, a private, family-owned grocery retail company in California. "You can go pretty far in the grocery business without a formal education. When I was 16, 17, 18 years old and bagging groceries and checking out customers, I wasn't having the conversation about college with my parents." Dulle has worked for Raley's since 2000. In 2016, she enrolled in the RMC program at Fresno City College. By 2019, Dulle was promoted to her current leadership role at Raley's. "I went from a graduate to the person overseeing the RMC program for two operating companies," she said. In December 2021, Raley's acquired the Bashas' family of local grocery brands, including AJs Fine Foods and Food City, which operate primarily in Arizona. expand At a WAFC meeting of retailers and community colleges, Dulle expressed her interest in growing Bashas' RMC program to Dawson Dopp, a business faculty member at Phoenix College (PC). Dopp already was collaborating with other Arizona food retailers, including Albertsons, Smart and Final, Fry's, and Safeway, to enroll their food associates in PC's RMC program. Still, he and Dulle created a direct billing system that allowed Raley's to seamlessly pay tuition for their Bashas' employees. This streamlined approach removed financial barriers and empowered employees. "We have adult learners entering into the education space for the first time or going back after a very long time and learning the online aspects," noted Dulle. "Phoenix College has done a phenomenal job at making that transition as easy as possible." expand "Dawson brought our campus teams (admissions, advising, and billing) together to offer RMC students and their employers white glove service," said Sherlyn Celaya, director of PC's Management and Leadership Programs, who manages the RMC program. Dopp became Department Chair of Business and Computer Information Technology, but remains a champion of RMC, having grown the program to over 100 students. Dopp noted, 'Phoenix College staff and faculty provide intensive support and flexibility for working professionals.' expand Cristy Zarate started as a courtesy clerk for AJ's Fine Foods 19 years ago after moving to the U.S. from Mexico. Eventually, she transferred to Bashas' compliance department and was promoted to food safety manager four years ago. In her role, Zarate attends many conferences and completes a variety of certifications. Still, she enrolled in the RMC program for its foundation in business. "All the classes – from human resources to sales – have been interesting," she said. "I am very focused on food safety, and sometimes I don't realize what everybody else does." The convenience of doing the courses online also was a perk. "The beauty of the program is you can do it at your own pace and on your own time," said Zarate. "My job is very demanding – I'm available 24/7 – and I'm a full-time mom, but I find time for the program." She noted the teachers are always accessible, and if she wants to understand a concept further, she asks a Bashas' colleague in the field to explain it. In the management course, she learned about profit margins and shrinkage. For Zarate, the RMC is an essential step in advancing her career. "I thought continuing my education would be impossible, but after going through the classes, it's not,' she said. 'I can do it. It's a step to bigger things."
