LGAN Insists Nigeria Retains All African Challenge Trophy Hosting Rights Despite NGF Suspension

LGAN Insists Nigeria Retains All African Challenge Trophy Hosting Rights Despite NGF Suspension

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria's hosting status for the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has become the subject of conflicting claims following the suspension of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) by the African Golf Confederation (AGC) over unpaid affiliation fees, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

While the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) insists the country's hosting rights remain intact, the AGC's suspension of the NGF has raised questions about Nigeria's participation in continental golf activities and the fate of the prestigious women's amateur championship.

In a statement issued on Friday, LGAN President and Chairperson of the AACT 2026 Local Organising Committee, Dr. Lami Ahmed, dismissed reports suggesting that the dispute between the NGF and the AGC would affect Nigeria's right to host the tournament.

She maintained that the championship, scheduled for 2–7 November 2026 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, would proceed as planned, adding that preparations were on course and that more than 30 African countries had already registered to participate.

According to Dr. Ahmed, the All Africa Challenge Trophy is administered by the All Africa Challenge Trophy Association (AACTA), which oversees women's amateur golf on the continent, while the African Golf Confederation is responsible for men's golf competitions.

"The two organisations have separate mandates and competitions. It is therefore incorrect to associate issues concerning one organisation with the operations or hosting of the other," she said.

She also assured participating countries, sponsors and stakeholders that Nigeria remained committed to hosting a successful championship in line with the Federal Government's sports development agenda.

However, the position taken by the LGAN comes amid an official suspension imposed on the Nigeria Golf Federation by the African Golf Confederation.

In a letter dated 17 July 2026 and addressed to NGF President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the AGC announced the federation's immediate suspension, citing its failure to settle outstanding statutory affiliation fees despite a 30-day grace period and a final reminder.

According to the AGC, the NGF neither responded to its correspondence nor submitted a proposal to clear the outstanding debt before the continental body invoked its constitutional provisions to impose sanctions.

The suspension bars the Nigeria Golf Federation from enjoying AGC membership privileges, prevents Nigerian golfers from participating in AGC-sanctioned competitions and restricts member federations from taking part in tournaments organised by the NGF until the suspension is lifted.

While some reports have interpreted the AGC's decision as automatically affecting Nigeria's ability to host the All Africa Challenge Trophy, the LGAN has strongly rejected that interpretation, insisting that the women's championship falls under a different continental structure.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the All Africa Challenge Trophy Association (AACTA) nor the AGC had issued any official statement specifically confirming or withdrawing Nigeria's hosting rights for the November championship.

The AGC said the NGF's suspension will remain in effect until all outstanding affiliation fees are paid and the federation is formally reinstated.