Nigeria made its debut at the World Schools Games Golf Championship, held in St Andrews, Scotland, from September 14-16, 2026. Five promising young Nigerian golfers represented the country and their schools at the championship. The team comprised Mayomile Orungbeja from St. Gregory's College, Tiaraoluwa Ahmadu from St. Saviour's School, Ikoyi, Fireyimi Aina from Lagos Preparatory School, Ikoyi, Toluwalashe Balogun from Lagoon Schools, Lekki, and Melvin Strasser from Meadow Hall School, Lekki.
The championship provided the young golfers with an invaluable opportunity to gain international competition experience and test their skills against peers from different countries. The Nigerian contingent recorded notable results across the Junior Boys and Junior Girls categories. Balogun finished as Runner-Up in the Junior Girls Category, while Tiaraoluwa Ahmadu secured a Top 5 finish in the Junior Girls Category.
Mayomile Orungbeja also finished within the Top 10 in the Junior Boys Category. The performances demonstrate the depth of emerging talent within Nigerian junior golf and the potential of young Nigerian golfers to compete on international platforms when given access to structured training, quality competition, and international exposure.
Oluseyi Badmos, Team Coordinator from 2AT Limited, described the championship as an important platform for exposing young Nigerian golfers to international competition and broadening their experience and development. He emphasized that international exposure is crucial for developing young athletes, allowing them to compete, learn, build confidence, and understand what it takes to perform at a higher level.
The participation of the Nigerian team is closely aligned with the objectives of "Let's Play Golf in Schools," a grassroots initiative of 2AT Limited designed to introduce golf to schoolchildren and create a pathway from the school playground to structured training and competitive golf. This initiative aims to develop young golfers and provide them with opportunities to compete at national and international levels.
Mr. Badmos also acknowledged the Lagos State Government, through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), for providing 2AT Limited with the opportunity to introduce golf to primary school children across Lagos State. This collaboration has enabled young golfers to access structured training and compete in national and international championships.
The Nigerian team's debut at the World Schools Games Golf Championship marks a significant milestone in the development of junior golf in the country. With the right support and resources, young Nigerian golfers can continue to grow and compete at the highest levels, bringing pride and recognition to their schools and the country.
Key points
- The Nigerian team recorded notable results, with Toluwalashe Balogun finishing as Runner-Up in the Junior Girls Category and Tiaraoluwa Ahmadu securing a Top 5 finish in the same category.
- The championship provided young Nigerian golfers with international competition experience and exposure.
- The "Let's Play Golf in Schools" initiative aims to introduce golf to schoolchildren and create a pathway to structured training and competitive golf.
