One of the world\u2019s leading wrestling organizations, PROGRESS Wrestling, is coming to Dubai \u2013 with a women\u2019s title match as their main event.<\/p>\n
While the UAE has seen female headline matches in the past, this will be an un precedented event as a title will be on the line for the first time ever in the country. The match will be part of the Sons & Daughters of the Desertevent on December 10 and will feature current champion Lana Austin taking on Kanji.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of the match, Kanji hopes to inspire other girls and women, saying:\u201cI think it is going to make a massive impact with the fans,\u201d she said. \u201cThere is a lot of people so supportive of the event and the match \u2013 it is a great opportunity. The match can educate a lot of people around the world, and I am really looking forward to being part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
While PROGRESS is based out of the UK, the wrestling program has acquired a global audience from its partnership with WWE, which sees shows available to millions of fans worldwide on the WWE Network.<\/p>\n
Kanji sees the match not only as a chance to inspire other women, but also to represent them and show anything can be achieved given the right opportunity.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI think it (the match) is very progressive, I am so proud to be one of the women who can take that step forward and represent women around the world. I am so grateful we are being given this chance to show that women can do something like this \u2013 we just need the opportunity.<\/p>\n
Kanji is also acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with being a pioneer and role model, and said it is not just enough to create a statement \u2013 it must be the right one in front of a new generation of young women.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a huge responsibility we have to take care with it,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are representing ourselves in front of the future and we have to do that in the right way. \u00a0The statement we are creating is so big. As a woman, and as a woman of colour, you can stand up there and be strong \u2013 and not be scared of being strong. You can be yourself and show what your identity is. I am so happy to have the opportunity to represent who I am and show others they can do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
You can see Kanji in action as part of the blockbuster Sons & Daughters of the Desert show which will take place on Saturday 10 December at Warehouse Four, Al Quoz, Dubai. Alongside Kanji will be a host of top international talent, including former WWE superstars, along with some of the best independent talent in Europe, and homegrown UAE talent, Shaheen.<\/p>\n