Nigeria is set to host the prestigious Golf All Africa Challenge Trophy in 2026, for the third time in the history of the championship.
The championship was held in 1996 at the Ikoyi Club in 1938, while in 2010, the AACT was played at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
It would be recalled that the West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy (a regional version of the championship) was also held for the first time in Nigeria at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estates and Resort, Lagos in 2023.
According to the President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, Evelyn Oyome, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the championship’s 16th edition in Morocco, Nigeria fought off competition from numerous countries to win the hosting rights.
She said, “A total of 38 countries registered but 20 countries got the finals.
“Out of 20 countries that voted during the election for the next host of the tournament, Nigeria obtained the lion share of the votes.
“Nigeria had earlier hosted the West, Central Africa Challenge Trophy in October last year at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate and Resort in Lagos, showcasing its outstanding golfing facilities, with no fewer than 10 countries participating.
“So, hosting that championship successfully last year kind of gave us the edge amongst so many other countries who also bidded and winning was a huge victory for Nigeria.”
She also confirmed that Abuja will be the host city of the championship.
Oyome said: “The FCT met all the criteria for a host city, and it will be a great opportunity to welcome the whole of Africa into the nation’s capital.
“The AACT is a great opportunity to promote Nigeria. It is indeed equivalent to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in football,”
Morocco hosted the championship for the first time on the Golf de Tazegzout in Agadir from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30.
Nigeria finished 12th in Morocco, while coming first among the West African countries.
Nigeria To Host 2026 Golf Africa Challenge Championship is first published on The Whistler Newspaper