Sports

AACT 2026: Abuja Set to Host 30 African Nations as Nigeria Approves ₦547m Budget

Published

1 month ago

September 1, 2026

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is set to welcome no fewer than 30 African countries to Abuja for the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), with organisers putting the combined hosting budget for the prestigious women’s amateur golf championship and the Nigeria Ladies’ Open Championship at ₦547 million.

President of the Ladies’ Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for AACT Nigeria 2026, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, disclosed this on Tuesday at a world press briefing held at the TYB International Resort & Country Club, Abuja.

Ahmed said preparations for the November 2–7 championship had moved from the planning stage to full execution, describing the event as an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its capacity to host major international sporting competitions while promoting women’s golf, tourism and the country’s cultural heritage.

“The All Africa Challenge Trophy is the premier biennial women’s amateur team championship on the African continent,” Ahmed said, adding that the competition provides an important pathway for the development and international exposure of women and young female golfers.

The championship will take place at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, with three rounds of competition, cultural activities, delegates’ engagements, a prize presentation and closing banquet scheduled.

The AACT will be followed immediately by the Nigeria Ladies’ Open Championship from November 7–10, extending the international women’s golf programme in the Federal Capital Territory.

Africa Coming to Abuja

Organisers said several countries had confirmed their participation, while discussions with other national golf federations were ongoing.

Ahmed said teams, officials, delegates and supporters from across Africa were expected in Abuja for the championship.

“Africa is coming to Nigeria,” she said, stressing that the organisers were determined to ensure that every participating country feels welcome throughout its stay.

Each participating nation is expected to field three players and a captain, giving an official delegation of at least four people per country, apart from supporters and other guests.

Technical Director of the tournament, Julius Akinwumi Fadairo, said the three-round competition would be contested as a team event, with results counting towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

He explained that the AACT differs from conventional individual golf competitions because players compete for their respective countries.

“Players are playing for their country, not themselves. It is a competition amongst nations,” Fadairo said.

₦547m Covers Hosting, Not Prize Money

Fadairo clarified that the ₦547 million projection was not a prize purse but the estimated cost of hosting both the AACT and the Nigeria Ladies’ Open Championship.

He said the budget would cover accommodation, transportation, logistics and other operational requirements for participating delegations.

The Transcorp Hilton Abuja is expected to accommodate teams from the participating countries during the championship.

Fadairo also stressed that support for the tournament could come in both cash and services, with organisations and individuals able to contribute professional expertise and other forms of assistance to reduce the financial burden.

Ahmed, meanwhile, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s readiness to host the continental championship, saying the Local Organising Committee had established various teams to coordinate the different aspects of the event.

She said the committee was working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, security agencies, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to ensure a successful tournament.

“Nigeria has been entrusted with the responsibility of hosting Africa’s premier women’s amateur golf championship,” Ahmed said. “Our ambition is very simple: to deliver a world-class championship that Nigeria and Africa will be proud of.”

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

9 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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