Sports

Nigeria to Host First-Ever National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition in Abuja

Published

8 months ago

February 8, 2026

Joel Ajayi
Preparations have reached advanced stage for the hosting of the first ever National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition, a combined tourism and sports industry event put together by the Ringo Sport Club – Nigeria (RSCN), endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy in collaboration with the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, Abuja FCT Chapter and the Ministries of Youth Development, Transportation, Aviation, Information and National Orientation, Communication, the National Sports Commission, Interior, the FCT and many others.
The event, which is scheduled for Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st of March, 2026 at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, has the theme __Leveraging on the Inter-Section of Multi-Sectoral MDAs to Promote Sports Tourism in Nigeria_ , will focus on the connectivity between tourism and sports as well as the inter-links with other MDAs so as to explore the inherent socio-economic potentials existing in the interface of sports and tourism for the benefits of the national economy.
According to Malam Ahmed Mohammed Sule, President of the Ringo Sports Club – Nigeria, Convener and Chairman of the National Organizing Committee of NASTOCE 2026, The objectives of the Conference are, to among others, facilitate a platform for knowledge sharing and networking among stakeholders in the sports and tourism industries, highlight the potential benefits and impact of sports on tourism development, provide a healthy dialogue forum for collaboration between the public and private sectors and foster partnerships and investment opportunities in the sports and tourism industries and to showcase sports tourism products and services through exhibitions, including sports facilities and tourism destinations.

Malam Ahmed said the choice of the theme for the Conference was informed by the strong need and desire to deepen the knowledge of the inter-sections existing between sports and tourism by MDAs and to explore the inherent socio-economic benefits for the good of the country, stressing that the intersection of sports and travel, is globally an emerging sector that can significantly contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, given Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and breath taking diverse landscapes.

As a dialogue forum, a number of interesting, critical and thought provoking sub themes to deepen collaborative partnerships between and amongst MDAs in the expected sports and tourism synergy have been lined up with experts, professional speakers and Chief Executive Officers of the respective MDAs billed to make paper presentations on their collaborative roles to achieve the desired synergy for the sports tourism industry to flourish in Nigeria.

As stated earlier, MDAs will make presentations focusing on their areas of inter-section with sports tourism. Majorly, the sub-themes will revolve around the followings: _The Economic Impact of Sports Tourism in Nigeria ; Leveraging Sports for Cultural and Tourism Promotion; Sports Infrastructure and Facilities as Tourist Attractions; Youth Empowerment Through Sports Tourism Programs; Marketing and Media Strategies for Sports Tourism Promotion and Development in Nigeria and Opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships in Sports Tourism Development.

Others are _Sustainable Practices in Sports Tourism development; Market Prospects of Nigerian Sports Tourism Destinations; Tourism and Sport Policy: A National Policy Context for Sport Tourism Development in Nigeria; Exploring Strategic Partnerships for Nigeria’s Sport Tourism Development; Enhanced Funding and Financing of Sports Tourism Sectors in Nigeria; Cultures, Sports and Tourism: X-raying the Trajectory for National Economic Development; Marketing, Media and Destination Promotion of Nigeria’s Sport Tourism; Application of Digital Technology to Grow Nigeria’s Sport Tourism Space; Building a Robust Security Architecture for National Sport Tourism Development; Military Sport Diplomacy, Panacea to National Peace and Economic Development and Leveraging on Sport Tourism to Empower Nigerian Youth_

Participants at the two-day event will be drawn from key players and stakeholders in the sports and tourism sectors such as the National Sports Commission, Sports Federations, Tour and Travel Operators, Administrators of the Aviation industry; the Maritime Industry Sector, Ministry of Interior and its Agencies in facilitating Travel and Security Services, Communication Innovation and Digital Economy for the deployment of digital technology in sports tourism operations and the Federal Ministry of Trades, Industry and Investment for funding, financing and investment portfolio in the sports tourism sectors,
Others are the Federal Ministry of Defence providing the leeway of National Security Architecture for sports tourism to flourish in the country; The Finance Sector; such as Banks, Insurance Companies; Federal Ministry of Information to give the road map for media strategies in marketing and promoting sports tourism nationally and globally; Exhibitors of various sports and tourism products and services as well as visitors and sports tourism enthusiasts across the country who will converge in Abuja for the National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition.

The 2-Day National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition programme will feature Sports Tourism Conference, Exhibition of Sports and Tourism Products and Services, B2B and G2B sessions, inauguration of Patrons and Board Members of the Ringo Sports Club – Nigeria, Launch of Tourism Thematic Compilations and The Award and Gala Nite which is a socio-cultural event that will feature presentation of Awards to deserving stakeholders in the Nigerian Sports and Tourism industries.

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Sports

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

Published

3 hours 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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