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With 11 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), championship consultant Munir Tijjani has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparedness to host the continental women’s golf championship, citing the support of government agencies and cooperation among key stakeholders.
Tijjani said preparations were progressing with the involvement of relevant institutions and partners, expressing optimism that Nigeria would deliver a successful tournament capable of showcasing the country’s organisational capacity, sporting infrastructure and hospitality to participating African nations. Blueprint reports
He noted that the support received from government agencies and other partners had contributed to coordination and the arrangements required to welcome golfers, officials and other delegates expected from across the continent.
The consultant also assured participating countries and golfers that the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja would be available for the championship, expressing confidence in the venue’s readiness to host the competition.
His assurance comes as Nigeria enters the final phase of preparations for the tournament, which is expected to bring together women golfers representing their respective countries in a contest for continental honours.
With about 30 African countries expected to participate, the championship is also an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its capacity to organise international sporting events while promoting women’s golf and strengthening sporting relationships across Africa.
Government support boosts preparations
The support of government institutions and other stakeholders is expected to remain important to the successful delivery of the championship, particularly as organisers move from planning to final operational arrangements.
Hosting a continental tournament requires coordination across several areas, including the preparation of competition facilities, accommodation, transportation, accreditation, medical services, security and protocol for visiting teams and officials.
The Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), which is hosting the championship, has been engaging relevant institutions and partners to strengthen the arrangements ahead of the event.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) endorsed Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 championship earlier in the year, underscoring the importance of the tournament to the country’s sports development ambitions.
The commission’s backing also aligns with efforts to position sports as a contributor to economic activity, tourism and Nigeria’s international profile.
For the organisers, the cooperation of government agencies and other partners is essential to ensuring that participating countries can concentrate on the competition while enjoying a well-coordinated experience in Abuja.
Tijjani’s assurance adds to the confidence expressed by other stakeholders as preparations gather momentum ahead of the arrival of African delegations.
IBB Golf Club to host continental championship
The IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, will serve as the venue for the championship scheduled for November 2 to 7, 2026.
The club is expected to welcome national teams, officials and other participants for the competition, which will place women’s golf at the centre of a continental sporting gathering.
The readiness of the venue is particularly important given the scale of the event and the expectations of participating countries. Organisers have expressed confidence that the facility will be available to host the championship as scheduled.
The club has also been undergoing rehabilitation work following an extended period of closure to regular golfing activities. The intervention has covered the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities.
The club’s leadership has expressed confidence that the work would be completed in time to welcome golfers and officials from across Africa.
For Nigeria, the return of the continental competition to Abuja provides an opportunity to showcase the capital’s sporting facilities and hospitality to international visitors.
The championship is also expected to bring together players, officials, supporters and other stakeholders whose participation could help raise the profile of golf in the country.
Nigeria to host AACT for the third time
The 2026 edition will mark the third time Nigeria has hosted the All Africa Challenge Trophy, highlighting the country’s continuing involvement in the development of golf on the continent.
Nigeria first hosted the championship in 1996 at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos before staging the second Nigerian edition in 2010 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
The return of the tournament to Nigeria after the two previous editions provides another opportunity for the country to welcome Africa’s women golfers and strengthen its standing as a host of major sporting competitions.
For Nigerian golfers, the championship offers exposure to continental competition and an opportunity to engage with players from different golfing backgrounds. For the wider sporting community, it presents a platform to encourage participation in the game and increase the visibility of women’s golf.
The event is expected to attract national teams from about 30 African countries, alongside officials and other delegates. Their presence will make Abuja a meeting point for sporting competition, cultural interaction and cooperation among participating nations.
Beyond the contest for continental honours, the championship is expected to provide opportunities to promote tourism and showcase Nigeria’s hospitality to visitors.
Uniting Africa through the greens
The 2026 championship will be held under the slogan, “Uniting Africa through the greens,” reflecting the organisers’ ambition to use golf as a platform for strengthening relationships among African nations.
The theme highlights the potential of sport to bring people together across national boundaries, encouraging friendship, mutual understanding and shared experiences beyond the competition itself.
As participating golfers compete for honours, the tournament will also provide an opportunity for representatives of different countries to interact and build relationships through a common sporting interest.
The championship’s broader significance extends to the development of women’s golf, with the gathering expected to draw attention to female athletes and the opportunities available to women in the sport.
For Nigeria, hosting the event is an opportunity to promote the game locally, encourage wider interest in golf and demonstrate the country’s capacity to accommodate international sporting delegations.
The tournament also creates a platform for Abuja to showcase its hospitality and facilities to visitors from across Africa.
Final preparations intensify ahead of opening
With the countdown underway, the Local Organising Committee and its partners are intensifying efforts to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place before the championship begins.
The final phase of preparations will be crucial to delivering a smooth competition and ensuring that visiting teams, officials and other participants are properly received.
Tijjani’s expression of confidence in Nigeria’s readiness, alongside the support of government agencies and other stakeholders, reinforces the organisers’ determination to deliver a successful championship.
As November 2 approaches, attention is turning to the arrival of the participating countries and the start of the competition at the IBB International Golf and Country Club.
For Nigeria, the objective goes beyond hosting another golf tournament. The championship offers an opportunity to promote women’s sport, strengthen African sporting ties, encourage tourism and present the country as a welcoming destination for international competitions.
With about 30 African countries expected in Abuja, the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy is set to bring together sporting excellence, cultural exchange and continental cooperation under one platform.
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