The National Sports Commission (NSC) has thrown its full support behind Nigeria’s bid to successfully host the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), scheduled to take place at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
The assurance was given by the Chairman of the Commission, Shehu Dikko, during a courtesy visit by officials of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) on Friday in the Federal Capital Territory.
The championship, which will be organised by LGAN, is slated for November 1 to November 7, with participation expected from no fewer than 30 African countries.
The LGAN delegation was led by its President, Lami Ahmed, alongside key facilitators of Nigeria’s successful hosting bid.
Dikko praised the association for securing the hosting rights, describing the achievement as consistent with the Commission’s goal of positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for international sporting events.
He said the endorsement further aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), which seeks to harness sports as a driver of economic growth.
“What you have accomplished aligns perfectly with our sports economy objectives under RHINSE.
“To grow the sports economy, we must deliberately attract and host major international competitions, as they stimulate job creation, tourism and national visibility,” he said.
Dikko added that the Commission was working towards increasing sports’ contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to at least three per cent through targeted hosting strategies.
He assured LGAN of full institutional and regulatory backing to ensure a successful tournament.
“There are no minor sports in our vision. We will provide the necessary structures and establish the appropriate committees to support this event,” he stated.
He also commended Nigerian female athletes for their consistent performances and positive representation of the country on global platforms.
In her remarks, LGAN President, Ahmed, said clinching the hosting right exceeded expectations, describing the experience as “going into the bush for a squirrel and returning with an elephant.”
She noted that the scale of the tournament required strong institutional collaboration to maximise its potential impact.
“This event is bigger than LGAN. We are seeking strategic support to properly manage the magnitude of this opportunity,” she said.
At least 30 African nations have already indicated interest in participating in the competition, which is designed to expose amateur golfers to international standards and opportunities.
The All Africa Challenge Trophy also serves as a talent identification and development platform for global golf bodies.
First staged in May 1992 in Zimbabwe, the championship has previously been hosted by Nigeria in 1996 at Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, and in 2010 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, with the 2026 edition set to mark the country’s third hosting of the prestigious event.