The 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) moves into competitive action on Wednesday as approximately 60 amateur female golfers from 20 African countries begin their quest for continental honours at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

The championship was formally declared open on Tuesday, November 3, by Nigeria’s First Lady and Grand Patron of AACT 2026, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who performed the ceremonial tee-off at the opening ceremony.

The ceremony featured the hoisting of flags representing participating countries and attracted government officials, sports administrators, golf stakeholders and other dignitaries, marking the beginning of a week-long celebration of women’s golf and African unity.

Beyond the competition, the championship offers Nigeria an opportunity to showcase its capacity to host major international sporting events. The Federal Government’s support, alongside the efforts of security agencies and event organisers, has helped provide a welcoming environment for visiting teams and officials.

For the visiting golfers, the Abuja experience has extended beyond the golf course. Several have expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s hospitality, cultural diversity and security arrangements, while also commending the beauty and improvements at the renovated IBB International Golf and Country Club.

However, the warm reception has not softened their competitive ambitions. The visiting teams have made it clear that they are in Abuja to challenge for the trophy, with each nation determined to establish an early advantage when play begins.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will be seeking to combine a successful hosting experience with a strong performance from its home players.

President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, expressed optimism that the championship would strengthen relationships among African countries while projecting Nigeria positively to the international community.

She noted that beyond the contest for the trophy, AACT provides an important platform for friendship, unity and cultural exchange, while creating greater visibility for women’s golf across the continent.

The championship also carries a development legacy through the Girls in Golf initiative, which aims to introduce 300 young girls to the sport across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

One of the programme’s beneficiaries expressed the ambition of developing into a golfer capable of representing Nigeria at the All Africa Challenge Trophy in the future, reflecting the broader aspirations behind the initiative.

Earlier on Tuesday, Nigerian and visiting golfers also took part in the AACT Supporters Tournament, adding to the activities surrounding the continental championship.

Nigeria is hosting the All Africa Challenge Trophy for the third time, having previously staged the competition in Lagos in 1996 and at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, in 2010.

With the opening ceremony completed, attention now shifts to the course, where the national teams will compete over three championship rounds from November 4 to 6, ahead of the closing banquet and prize presentation.

As the contest gets underway, Abuja becomes the meeting point for Africa’s leading amateur female golfers, with the participating nations pursuing continental glory while celebrating the friendship and unity that the game continues to foster.