Sports
Ihonvbere Vows 100% Nigerian Experience for AACT 2026 Visitors
Joel Ajayi
With 23 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is preparing to welcome visiting golfers, officials and guests to an experience that extends beyond the golf course, celebrating the country’s rich culture, cuisine, tourism and hospitality.
Grace Ihonvbere, former Lady Captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, a member of the club’s Board of Trustees and Grand Patron of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), says visitors should expect a genuine taste of Nigeria during the continental women’s team golf championship.
According to Ihonvbere, the tournament offers an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s identity, warmth and diversity while creating lasting memories for participants from across the continent.
From local delicacies and vibrant cultural expressions to the warmth of its people and the attractions Abuja has to offer, the championship will provide an opportunity for visitors to connect with Nigeria beyond the fairways.
The event is also expected to encourage cultural exchange, strengthen relationships among participating countries and showcase Nigeria’s ability to combine competitive golf with a memorable visitor experience.
Nigeria will host the AACT for the third time, following the 1996 edition at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos and the 2010 championship at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, bringing together women golfers from across Africa.
For Ihonvbere, the occasion is an opportunity for visitors to experience the many things that make Nigeria distinctive, with golf serving as the meeting point for sport, culture and hospitality.
23 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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