EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Soft Ground Wrestling founder Bumbash Daniel: Uganda's First All-Inclusive Pro Wrestling Brand
By Max Everett
Soft Ground Wrestling brought 'Backyard Wrestling' back into the spotlight over recent weeks, with the Ugandan outfit igniting in popularity after posting its rendition of the Royal Rumble 2024. Embracing the very essence of the term 'grass-roots', SGW's set-up is comprised of a dirt ring with bamboo ring posts and string for ropes.
Even still, the wrestling-first focus and passionate performances from its stars have succeeded in making SGW a promotion to watch in the future. They have received monumental endorsement from both Will Ospreay and Jordynne Grace, after which the promotion's GoFundMe page broke its $10,000 goal - $10,450 as of writing - including a $2,000 donation from Will Ospreay, and further donations from the likes of AEW's Daniel Garcia and former "FTR with Dax Harwood" co-host Matt Koon.
With SGW set for a huge 2024 amidst a groundswell of support and good faith; potentially, hopefully, setting the stage for a burgeoning professional wrestling scene in Uganda and Africa altogether, Daily DDT held a Q&A with SGW founder Bumbash Daniel to talk about SGW's surging popularity, breaking down gender barriers in Uganda, and embracing all those who share a common love: wrestling. Check out the full Q&A below :
AEW and TNA stars Will Ospreay and Jordynne Grace are both obvious fans and have donated to Soft Ground Wrestling. In Jordynne’s case, she had just been in the Royal Rumble. What does that support do for SGW?
I have to say that I’m full of gratitude. Having high calibre talent of Mr. Ospreay, Jordynne and more is a huge milestone for SGW. That means the world has been illuminated to hidden talent in Africa. Uganda in particular. Their support towards SGW is a turning point for pro wrestling in Uganda where many young talent will be motivated to join the sport and further help SGW acquire proper tools for training and exhibiting pro wrestling in Uganda.
Since SGW has become the spectacle it has online, have there been offers from platforms to distribute future content? We have seen several emergent promotions showcased on Triller TV/Fite for example, is that something you would entertain for SGW?
Yes, there are other platforms that have approached SGW for future content. Pro wrestling provides entertaining content that gets people glued to their TVs. I mean who wouldn’t watch two guys tasselling it out in mud or the beach? That’s content everyone is dying to see.
Given the conservative background of Uganda and taking into account culture and traditions, has there been any form of pushback on the involvement of women in wrestling? If so, what would be your official retort?
Uganda is an awesome country, a country where everyone is free to achieve anything in the sports arena. Actually, the sports arena for women in our country is growing bigger every day from boxing, amateur wrestling, football, basketball, and more. Therefore, women getting involved in active sports in Uganda is having bigger campaigns compared to the last 20 years.
The young ladies here in pro wrestling are amazing and they’re already getting positive feedback.
A lot of this Q&A should address how the Western world views SGW in the future, but I want to flip that for a moment. What is it like following wrestling from Uganda? What are the most popular promotions and wrestlers alike?
To answer the question right, like I said, pro wrestling is very popular in Uganda but from the television. The most watched promotions in Uganda are WWE, TNA, AEW, and SGW. SGW runs segments every Saturday and Sunday. SGW is the first wrestling organization in Uganda to have young superstars. With time, I’m sure we will have the most popular wrestling promotion in Uganda.
This sort of circles back to earlier, but how is women’s wrestling viewed in Uganda?
In Uganda, pro wrestling has been very popular on television. As long as it's [wrestling content], regardless the brand, anyone would watch. When I debuted SGW in Uganda two years ago, I had to lay a neutral foundation for talent. It doesn’t matter if you are a woman or man, the door is always open for talent. We are currently in the early stages of syncing our style of pro wrestling to the Ugandan audience.”
Likewise circling back to my earlier question on inclusivity; wrestling in the United States has seen members of the LGBTQIA+ community such as Nyla Rose and Anthony Bowens become champions on National TV. However, Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act last year, are you one to challenge the rule and does it have an impact on what you want for SGW?
Everyone has a right to live their life the way they want. As SGW, we are a non-discriminative organization that only focuses on talent development rather than one’s gender, sexuality, or whatever they choose to embrace.
To end this on a lighter note, tell me, if SGW gets itself a wrestling ring will the promotion change names?
We don’t plan to change the promotion’s name for now. However, that could happen if need be.