In effort to grow pro wrestling in Botswana, commercialization efforts begin
Pro wrestling is a relatively young sport in the African country of Botswana. Having started in 2010, it’s a new industry that’s still looking to gain footing. In an effort to grow that industry, the Botswana Wrestling Federation is finding new and innovative ways to commercialize pro wrestling in the country. Their first effort to commercialize the sport and pump funds into the industry hit stores in Gaborone, Botswana on July 5th in the form of a bottled water. The filtered, pure still water is named Power Rumble, which shares the same name as a proposed regular wrestling event that the wrestling leadership in the country hopes will materialize once conditions around the Covid-19 pandemic become more under control.
WrestleMap recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Moagi Sharp, the president of the Botswana Wrestling Federation. The pro version of the sport is represented in the country by Wrestling Entertainment Championship, a branch of the Botswana Wrestling Federation, which Dr. Sharp serves as the director of. Dr. Sharp shared that the drive for commercialization is being done with the goal of being able to put together more viable pro wrestling shows. In order to make those shows a reality, the proper equipment is needed. Namely, a pro wrestling ring. To date, most of the pro wrestling action in Botswana has taken place either on mats or in a boxing ring.
Besides the bottled water initiative, Sharp hopes that more opportunities for commercialization of pro wrestling in Botswana will materialize through sponsorships and other products.
Moagi Sharp, pictured left, provided us with the WEC’s proposed monthly pro wrestling schedule that could go into place when Covid-19 factors allow it to. Power Rumble has also been discussed as possibly being a weekly pro wrestling event, held every Monday.
Sharp continued to emphasize the need for a pro wrestling ring in Botswana throughout our conversation. Continued pro wrestling training is underway for the time being with the resources that are available to the wrestlers.
Sharp also serves as the president of Pro Wrestling Africa. During our conversation, WrestleMap inquired about the status of a rumored PWA event that has been discussed to take place in Botswana either late this summer, or in fall of 2021. The PWA president confirmed that these discussions are, in fact, taking place but things right now hinge on the Covid-19 situation in the country. But Sharp indicated that the goal is for the show to go on.
Sharp feels that the presence of Pro Wrestling Africa in Botswana would help to raise the profile of the sport in the country. Aside from that, the PWA’s wrestlers would also be able to provide helpful training to Botswana’s aspiring wrestlers and some of them may even find themselves a place on the card, gaining valuable in-ring experience. The organization and logistical details that go into planning a successful pro wrestling show would also be an important lesson that would help the organizers in Botswana as they move forward to plan more future events of their own.
The growth and development of pro wrestling throughout Africa has been a hot topic both on our site and our social media platforms as of late. It’s great to see the Botswana Wrestling Federation and Wrestling Entertainment Championship moving forward and finding ways to bring money into the industry with the intention of putting on better pro wrestling events. If you’re in Botswana, and you support pro wrestling, make sure you run out and grab yourself a bottle of Power Rumble water to help the dream of the growth of pro wrestling in the country a reality!
