How I became World Wrestling Champion – Captain Zaria (rtd)

Could you let us into your background?My name is captain Sale Mamman (rtd). I was born on December 20, 1947 in Tudun Wada, Zaria. I was the first Army Officer from Zaria. I attended primary schools in Tudun Wada and Sabon Gari in Zaria and Bosso in Minna. From 1958 to 1963 I attended the […]

Could you let us into your background?
My name is captain Sale Mamman (rtd). I was born on December 20, 1947 in Tudun Wada, Zaria. I was the first Army Officer from Zaria. I attended primary schools in Tudun Wada and Sabon Gari in Zaria and Bosso in Minna. From 1958 to 1963 I attended the Provincial Secondary School, Abuja now Suleja after which I joined the military as a recruit. I later enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1968. When I passed out, I served in One Division with General Muhammadu Shuwa in Kaduna, Two Division with General Murtala Muhammed in Ikeja, Lagos, and in the Three Marine Commando under General Benjamin Adekunle, otherwise known as Black Scorpion.
Were you a professional wrestler and a member of the Nigerian Army?.
I left the army for professional wrestling. Since I could not engage in professional wrestling with my superiors or junior officers, I applied for voluntary retirement. I started the process when General David Ejoor was the Chief of Staff, Nigerian Army. The approval was given when Hassan Katsina was the Chief of Army Staff. I had always wanted to be a wrestling champion. And I am happy I became one.
So you retired to concentrate fully on wrestling?
Yes when I retired from the army, I started fighting professionally. I fought a lot of matches before I became a full professional. I fought wrestlers such as Tiger Epmos, Pedro Douglas of Turkey, who was the number three contender. I beat him in Ogbe Stadium, Benin. The number two contender was Napoleon of Iran; I also beat him. To allow spectators enjoy their money I would do some wrestling entertainment like acrobatic kicks. It is not good to knock somebody out in the first round of a match because spectators will be disappointed as they won’t be given enough opportunity to enjoy the match. Brigadier Abba Kyari, the then military governor of North Central, was the guest of honour when I beat the Iranian. I later went to America to fight other wrestlers before meeting another opponent known as Jack Miller Norris, the elder brother of Chuck Norris. In Chicago I knocked him out in the seventh round. I was fulfilled as I became the Light/Heavyweight world champion.
What motivated you to take to wrestling?
Just to achieve my ambition. At that time, naira was stronger than the dollar, and a pound sterling was N1:20k and Dollar was 75k.  Many people didn’t really like wrestling then. 
 Did you defend your titles as the world champion?
I did not defend the title because it is better to go in peace than lose your fame for selfish greed. My ambition was to be the world champion and I achieved that. So when I left America, I addressed a press conference in Nigeria and announced that I had quit professional wrestling. I left my contract money in America because my promoter was only interested in making profit out of my fights. Remember that the more defences you make, the more money you and your promoter get. Promoters spend money in promoting you through adverts, posters and lots more. So since I did not defend the title, my promoter took all the money from my previous fights.  Some people mocked me, saying I was afraid to defend my title, but I didn’t fight to impress anybody; I just achieved my ambition. I was lucky to achieve my aim and return to Nigeria alive. I later went to England to study up to the master’s degree level. I have two masters degrees; one of them is in Sports Science and Psychology, from the University Manchester.
Could you share with us your experiences as a sports administrator in Kaduna State?
I was employed as a coach and acting secretary of Kaduna State Sports Council. But Mr. Waje Yayock, who later became secretary to the state government, later took over from me. Alhaji Umaru Idris Dangaladiman Zazzau, who was working in the Nigerian Prisons Service, became the chairman of the commission, and later, chairman, Kaduna State Sports Council. I was an assistant director and later promoted to deputy director of sports. But I could not serve as director because the officials said the position was meant for PhD holders or those who had lectured in the university. I decided to change my Cadre from technical to administration.  I was very lucky. I passed so many interviews and examinations. In the Department of Administration one can become a director. I was moved to the Governor’s Office as Assistant Director, Special Services; that is security. I worked with military administrators like Colonel Lawal Jafaru Isa, Governor Ahmed Makarfi and I retired during the regime of Governor Muhammad Namadi Sambo, before he became vice president.
Did the federal government recognise or honour you for making Nigeria proud in wrestling?
I was recommended for national merit award, but I was not called; may be because I don’t lobby. Everything depends on time.  But I got the national sports merit award.
 Did you take banned drugs in your days as a wrestler? Were drugs used during your time?
No, we didn’t know anything like drugs.
 What is your advice to sportsmen and women on the issue of drugs?
 They should imbibe discipline and stay off banned drugs. It is always better to compete and win fairly.. You cannot take drugs and say you want to become a champion.  Even alcohol is detrimental to sportsmen. To me, nothing can be achieved without hard work.
Is any of your children a wrestler?
No. I think they don’t have interest in the sport. Their interests are in other sports, different from mine. You don’t force anybody to do what he doesn’t like. I believe in destiny.
What role did the then ministry of sports play in making you a world champion?
No, the interest was not there. That time, few people watched sports, let alone wrestling. In Saudi, they watched boxing because of Muhammad Ali. When he retired, viewership declined drastically. In the Western and Arabian countries now, football, wrestling and tennis are in vogue.
Apart from wrestling, what other sports did you do?
I play table tennis. I also do swimming and jogging. But as a pensioner now, I am only into jogging, just to keep fit.
What advice do you have for present sports administrators?
The public has to organise themselves and become sports developers. Because nowhere in the developed world do you have the government fully involved in the promotion of sports. Even during the Olympic and other sporting meets, the government liaise with sports developers to have those who are willing to represent the country to assist them to achieve fame. This is why Nigeria should emulate the gesture. Government only has the body to regulate sports.
Do you see traditional wrestling becoming a popular sport as it is in Niger Republic? 
You do not expect the government to assist in traditional wrestling without the public setting the pace. This is why the public interest and investment is vital.