The 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has concluded in Abuja, Nigeria, with officials Julius Fadairo and Kayode Adeniyi praising the country's successful hosting of the continental women's golf championship. The event, held at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, demonstrated Nigeria's capacity to host major international sporting events. Despite some organisational and communication challenges, the officials expressed satisfaction with the overall conduct of the tournament.
Fadairo, Technical Director of the AACT, attributed the success of the tournament to Nigeria's hospitality, which made it easy to accommodate visiting players, officials, and representatives from participating countries. However, he noted that language differences occasionally created communication difficulties on the golf course, particularly with participants from French-speaking countries. The challenge was addressed with the help of multilingual representatives from The R&A.
According to Fadairo, accommodating and showing hospitality to the visitors was easy, but the language barrier was a reminder of the importance of learning French as a country. He added that the organisers managed the challenges effectively, ensuring the smooth running of the competition. The successful hosting of the AACT marks Nigeria's return to the event after 16 years.
Kayode Adeniyi, Director of Communications for the tournament, highlighted the importance of early planning and sustained engagement with relevant institutions in delivering a successful championship. Preparations began about a year before the competition, with the organising team avoiding a last-minute approach. The committee engaged government institutions and key stakeholders early, recognising that securing the hosting rights was only the first step towards delivering a successful tournament.
Adeniyi disclosed that the organising team secured the hosting rights during a bid in Morocco before returning to Nigeria to begin preparations and mobilise support. He identified the involvement of Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a major turning point in the preparations, saying her acceptance to become patron of the championship significantly raised its profile.
The communications director also acknowledged the support of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. He praised the management and staff of the IBB International Golf and Country Club for transforming the course and facilities ahead of the championship.
The successful hosting of the 2026 AACT has demonstrated Nigeria's capacity to host major international sporting events, and officials are optimistic that this will lead to more hosting opportunities in the future. Key points include the importance of early planning, the role of hospitality in accommodating visitors, and the significance of government and stakeholder support in delivering a successful tournament.
Key points
- Early planning and sustained engagement with relevant institutions were central to the successful delivery of the championship.
- Nigeria's hospitality played a significant role in accommodating visiting players, officials, and representatives from participating countries.
- The involvement of Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as patron of the championship significantly raised its profile.
