Sports
Nigeria Will Showcase Africa’s Excellence, Unity at 2026 AACT Golf Tournament — LGAN President
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.
Sports
NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu
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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