The Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) has launched its Girls in Golf initiative as part of activities marking the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), with a focus on empowering young girls and developing the next generation of female golfers in the country.

The week-long programme commenced on Monday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, with a training session involving no fewer than 60 young girls.

LGAN President and Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee for the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy, Dr Lami Ahmed, said the initiative was designed to extend the impact of golf beyond competition by investing in young people and creating opportunities for their development.

Ahmed explained that introducing girls to golf at an early age would help stimulate their interest in the sport while providing them with the skills and opportunities needed to excel.

“We believe that charity calls on us to touch lives and invest in others. Golf is not just about playing the game; it is also about giving back to society,” she said.

She noted that the future of women's golf depended largely on creating opportunities for young girls to discover the sport and understand the different career paths available within the industry.

According to her, the Girls in Golf initiative would help participants develop valuable skills, build confidence and make informed decisions about their future careers.

Ahmed also disclosed that the association had observed an increase in the number of female caddies across the country, highlighting the need to establish structured pathways for girls interested in the sport.

She added that the programme would expose participants to opportunities beyond playing professionally, including other careers within the golf industry.

The LGAN president expressed appreciation to Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, founder of the Renewed Hope Initiative, for supporting the programme and the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy.

She said the First Lady's support reflected her commitment to human capital development, particularly initiatives aimed at empowering women, children and the girl-child.

“Her Excellency readily embraced the project because she believes in giving back to society, especially by supporting children and creating opportunities for them to thrive,” Ahmed said.

Meanwhile, Ahmed confirmed that preparations for the continental championship were progressing smoothly, with participating teams from different African countries already arriving in Abuja.

The week-long women's golf competition is expected to conclude on Friday, with teams from at least 20 African countries scheduled to compete for continental honours.

She reaffirmed LGAN's commitment to using golf as a platform for youth development, women's empowerment and increased participation of girls in sports.

Ahmed also called on stakeholders to support initiatives that would make golf more accessible to young girls and establish sustainable opportunities for their involvement in the sport.