The Rise of ChezaDodge: Africa’s First Olympic Sport in the Making

For centuries, Kwepena has been played across Africa under different names—Kati in Kenya, Rede in Tanzania, Butu in Namibia, Shumpu in Zambia, and Dandy Shandy in Jamaica. This fast-paced, high-energy game, loved by children and communities across the continent, has long been seen as a recreational activity rather than a professional sport.

However, that is changing. ChezaDodge is transforming Kwepena from a traditional playground game into a structured, competitive sport with global recognition. Through Cheza, we are standardizing rules, creating competitive leagues, and forming strategic partnerships to elevate the sport to the international stage.

And now, we have an even bigger dream: making ChezaDodge Africa’s first Olympic sport.

From Traditional Game to Professional Sport

What makes a sport Olympic-worthy? It must have structured gameplay, international reach, a governing body, and a competitive system that ensures fairness and development. ChezaDodge is meeting these criteria step by step:

1. Standardizing the Game

Traditionally, Kwepena has been played in different ways across Africa. To make it a recognized sport, Cheza has developed:

• Official rulebooks that outline court sizes, gameplay structure, scoring systems, and fouls.
• ChezaDodge courts, designed with clear markings to provide a professional playing environment.
• Regulated equipment, including official ChezaDodge balls, jerseys, and safety gear.

2. Creating Competitive Leagues

To build a strong player base, Cheza has launched the Cheza Kwepena League (CKL)—an organized competition that allows teams to compete at school, university, and professional levels.

• School Championships: Bringing ChezaDodge to students to ensure future generations embrace the sport.
• Community Tournaments: Engaging local teams and clubs to create a grassroots competitive structure.
• National and International Competitions: The goal is to build ChezaDodge teams that can compete on an international stage.

3. Securing Global Recognition

In 2023, Cheza signed a groundbreaking partnership with the World Dodgeball Association (WDA), officially recognizing ChezaDodge as a professional sport in over 72 countries.
This was a historic moment for African sports, as it meant:

• ChezaDodge is now part of a global dodgeball network.
• International tournaments can now feature ChezaDodge teams from Africa.
• The sport has a clear pathway to Olympic consideration through official sports governance structures.

The Road to the Olympics

Getting ChezaDodge into the Olympics requires strategic growth and continuous development. Here’s how we are making it happen:

1. Expanding Internationally

We are launching Cheza franchises in five Commonwealth countries, ensuring that the sport gains a worldwide following. The more nations that play ChezaDodge, the stronger the case for its Olympic inclusion.

2. Strengthening Coaching and Officiating

We are training referees, coaches, and officials to ensure that ChezaDodge is played at a high standard. With certified referees, structured tournaments, and athlete development programs, the game is reaching professional levels.

3. Growing a Global Fan Base

No sport becomes Olympic-worthy without a passionate audience. Cheza is working to:

• Live-stream ChezaDodge games for fans worldwide.
• Develop ChezaDodge video games to introduce the sport to digital audiences.
• Build a strong media presence that showcases the excitement and competitiveness of the game.

4. Lobbying for Official Recognition

With structured leagues, global participation, and increasing popularity, ChezaDodge will be presented to sports councils and Olympic committees for consideration as a recognized sport.

Join the Movement!

ChezaDodge is not just a sport; it’s a movement. We are making history by turning one of Africa’s oldest traditional games into a global phenomenon. This is our chance to showcase African sports on the world’s biggest stage—the Olympics.

Be part of the journey!

• Start a ChezaDodge club in your school or community.
• Support ChezaDodge tournaments by attending events and spreading the word.
• Follow ChezaDodge on social media to stay updated on our progress.

This is more than a game—it’s Africa’s time to shine.
The road to the Olympics starts now!

#PlayTheAfricanWay #ChezaDodge #RoadToTheOlympics #KwepenaRedefined