Sports
19 Days To AACT 2026: Ekwueme Says Winning Coveted Trophy Is a Matter of National Pride
Joel Ajayi
With 19 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Past President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) and AACT Trustee for West and Central Africa, Ekanem Ekwueme, has described winning the coveted continental trophy as a source of immense pride for any participating country.
Ekwueme, who has been involved in the development of women’s golf in Nigeria, says the championship offers participating players an experience that remains memorable long after the competition has ended.
Describing the AACT as the “Nations Cup” of women’s golf, she noted that the tournament carries significance beyond individual performances, as players compete not only for personal achievement but also to defend their countries’ honour and secure a place in the history of African golf.
According to her, the opportunity to represent one’s country at such a prestigious continental championship is a special privilege, while winning the trophy represents the ultimate reward for the players and their national golf communities.
Ekwueme expects the battle for the 2026 title in Abuja to be fiercely contested, with several countries having the experience, talent and championship pedigree to challenge for the top prize.
South Africa, a serial winner of the competition, is expected to be among the leading contenders as the country seeks to maintain its impressive record in African women’s golf.
Egypt and Morocco are also countries to watch, having previously hosted and won the championship. Their achievements offer an example of what can be accomplished when a country combines the advantage of hosting with the determination to compete successfully on home soil.
For Nigeria, the prospect of winning the title at home presents an opportunity to turn the advantage of hosting into a historic sporting achievement.
Ekwueme believes the records of Egypt and Morocco should serve as inspiration for Nigeria as the country prepares to welcome Africa’s leading women’s golf teams to Abuja.
Nigeria will host the championship for the third time, following previous editions in 1996 at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos and in 2010 at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.
While hosting the tournament is itself a significant achievement, winning the trophy on home soil would add another dimension to Nigeria’s participation and create a lasting milestone for the country’s women’s golf movement.
The challenge, however, will be considerable, with Nigeria set to face opponents determined to claim the continental crown. The home team will need to combine technical preparation, competitive discipline and the ability to handle the pressure that comes with representing the host nation.
The tournament also provides an important platform for Nigerian golfers to measure themselves against some of the continent’s strongest players, gain valuable competitive experience and demonstrate the progress of women’s golf in the country.
Beyond the quest for the trophy, Ekwueme views the AACT as an event that creates lasting memories and strengthens the bonds among golfers from different African countries.
The championship brings together players who share a passion for the game while representing different national identities, creating opportunities for friendship, cultural exchange and the development of women’s golf across the continent.
For Nigeria, hosting the competition offers an opportunity to showcase its golf facilities, hospitality and capacity to stage a major continental sporting event.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, Abuja, with participating nations expected to compete for one of the most prestigious honours in African women’s amateur golf.
As the countdown enters its final three weeks, the attention will increasingly turn to the teams preparing to contend for the trophy and the country that will ultimately emerge as continental champion.
For Nigeria, the ambition is not only to host Africa but to make the most of the opportunity to compete for the title on home soil.
19 DAYS TO GO. AFRICA IS COMING TO ABUJA.
Sports
Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit
Joel Ajayi
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.
Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.
The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.
He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.
“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.
“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.
He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.
According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.
On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.
He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.
He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.
Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.
He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.
A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.
The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.
Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.
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