Sports

Nigeria Will Showcase Africa’s Excellence, Unity at 2026 AACT Golf Tournament — LGAN President

Published

8 months ago

February 12, 2026

Joel Ajayi

Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, is set to welcome over 40 African nations as they converge for the 2026 All African Challenge Trophy (AACT) Golf Tournament, a landmark championship designed to celebrate excellence, unity and the enduring spirit of the continent.

The prestigious competition, scheduled to hold from November 1 to 7, 2026, at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, is expected to attract top golfing talents from across Africa, transforming the nation’s capital into a vibrant hub of sporting brilliance and continental solidarity.

Speaking at the official press briefing held at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja, the President of the Ladies Golfers Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed, said Nigeria will use the tournament as a platform to showcase Africa’s strength, excellence and unity to the world.

According to her, the championship is more than just a competition on the greens.

“It is a strategic platform to unite Africa through golf while showcasing Nigeria’s proven capacity to host world-class sporting events. We are hosting to win, and with the support of every Nigerian, we will give our very best,” she said.

Dr. Ahmed described the successful bid to host the tournament as a collective national achievement, stressing that Nigeria fought hard to secure the rights with the country’s interest at heart.

“We are determined to bring pride to our country, demonstrate the excellence of Africa, and reaffirm Nigeria’s status as a leading sporting nation capable of uniting the continent and the world. Now that we have won the bid, it is a victory for all Nigerians,” she stated.

She called on the media to amplify the story of the championship and urged corporate sponsors and critical stakeholders to support what she described as a Nigerian dream that transcends individuals and organisations.

The LGAN President also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to sports development as a tool for national cohesion and continental integration, noting that the President has consistently demonstrated moral and financial support for initiatives that promote unity through sports.

“It is our hope that President Tinubu will serve as Chief Host and officially declare the tournament open, while the First Lady performs the ceremonial tee-off in recognition of the championship’s celebration of women in sports,” she added.

She further expressed optimism that the Federal Capital Territory Administration, under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, will provide the necessary support to ensure a memorable and impactful event in Abuja.

Speaking via zoom, AACT President from Gabon, Madamè Cécile Poncet, described Nigeria as a trusted host with a proven capacity to deliver world-class events.

“We believe in Nigeria’s ability to provide a safe, vibrant, and competitive environment for all participating nations,” Poncet said.

“Africa’s best golfers will experience an unforgettable tournament.”

In her remarks, the AACT Trustee for West Central Africa, Mrs. Ekanem Ekwueme, commended LGAN for securing the hosting rights and noted that Nigeria will be hosting the tournament for the third time. She recalled that the country previously hosted the championship in 1996 at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos and in 2010 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

She explained that the AACT is a biennial tournament that rotates among the four geographical regions of Africa, expressing confidence that the 2026 edition would be a competition to remember.

To ensure a strong representation at the championship, LGAN has concluded plans to assemble a national team comprising three players and a captain. The identities of the players are being kept confidential as they undergo intensive training tours and participate in competitive tournaments ahead of the event. Selection will be strictly based on merit, with players drawn from handicap categories 0–6.

The 2026 All African Challenge Trophy is expected to deliver not only thrilling golf action but also a powerful message of Africa’s unity and shared excellence — proudly hosted by Nigeria.

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Sports

AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja

Published

10 mins ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.

Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.

The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.

As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.

The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.

The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.

With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.

Africa is coming to Abuja.

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