The Secretary General of Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA), a continental professional wrestling body devoted to building, promoting, and expanding the pro-wrestling scene across Africa, the premier continental governing body for professional wrestling in Africa overseeing 22 affiliated national organizations; who also double as the President of AIWF Africa, Ambassador Olusesan Olukoya, has expressed confidence that professional wrestling can grow into a major sporting and entertainment industry in Zambia if given the right support and structure.
According to Olukoya, Zambia possesses talented youths, passionate sports fans, and a growing entertainment sector capable of supporting the development of professional wrestling across the country. He noted that with proper training, partnerships, sponsorship, and media exposure, Zambia can become one of Africa’s leading destinations for pro wrestling events.
Zambia is a landlocked republic in Southern Africa, bordered by eight countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. Its capital and largest city is Lusaka. The country is famously home to the spectacular Victoria Falls and vast, unspoiled wildlife reserves.
Olukoya emphasized that professional wrestling is more than entertainment, stating that it can contribute significantly to youth empowerment, tourism, job creation, and international sports exchange. He added that professional wrestling promotions can create opportunities for athletes, referees, commentators, event organizers, promoters, content creators, and local businesses in the Zambian nation.
The PWA secretary General was full of appreciation to Jimmy James Sumbi, a Zambian pro wrestling talent who travelled to Nigerian to enable him to compete at the Pro Wrestling Africa championship in Lagos, Nigeria on the 3rd of May, 2026, marking his continental debut. Though he lost to Nigerian Jimmy Palm after 40-minute into the match in Lagos, Jimmy James reflected on the experience, stating: “I hope to do better in the next fight” and that is the spirit of sportsmanship. While discussing with Jimmy James in Lagos, he emphasized the need for support from government and other stakeholders even in Zambia for the sport to thrive.
Olukoya further explained that he as a stakeholder in the African continental pro wrestling industry, and he is committed to working with pro wrestling stakeholders, sports authorities, wrestlers, promoters and private organizations in Zambia in his capacity to establish training programs, championships, and talent development initiatives that will help raise a new generation of African wrestling stars.
“Promoting professional wrestling in Zambia is achievable with unity, commitment, and investment from both government, wrestling organizations, the public and private sectors,” Olukoya stated.
He also encouraged African nations to embrace professional wrestling as a viable sports business capable of attracting international attention and creating positive engagement for young people across the continent.