By Victor Okoye

The Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) says its Girls in Golf initiative will empower young girls and inspire the next generation of female golfers in Nigeria.

LGAN President Lami Ahmed said this on Monday during a training programme for no fewer than 60 young girls at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised as part of activities marking the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), which began on Monday.

Ahmed said that the initiative was designed to extend golf’s impact beyond competition by investing in young people and creating opportunities for their development.

“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 explained that the future of women’s golf depended on introducing girls to the sport early and providing them with the skills and opportunities to excel.

“No one can go far until they begin to do something for others.

‘’We believe the future of female golf depends on our children; so, we must train and empower them today to become the champions of tomorrow,” Ahmed said.

She said that the initiative was designed to introduce young girls to the sport, ignite their interest and expose them to the opportunities available through golf.

According to her, the initiative will also help girls develop valuable skills, build confidence and make informed decisions about their future careers.

Ahmed said the association had observed an increase in the number of female caddies across the country, making it necessary to create structured pathways for girls interested in golf.

“When girls are exposed to golf without a clear pathway, their opportunities may be limited.

‘’We want to equip them with the skills and guidance they need to achieve greatness,” she said.

She added that the initiative would encourage girls to explore different opportunities within the sport, including playing professionally and pursuing other golf-related careers.

Ahmed expressed gratitude to Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu, who is also the founder of the Renewed Hope Initiative, for supporting the programme and the 2026 AACT.

She said that Tinubu had demonstrated a strong commitment to human capital development, particularly initiatives that empower women 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.

The LGAN president disclosed that Tinubu donated N100 million to support the 2026 AACT and its associated activities.

Ahmed said that the donation would support the hosting of the continental championship and help the association implement its planned programmes.

She added that preparations for the championship were progressing well, with teams from various African countries already arriving in Abuja.

“We initially planned to host 30 countries, and we remain prepared to accommodate them.

‘’Teams from different countries have started arriving, and we are ready to deliver a successful championship,” she said.

The week-long continental women’s golf championship is expected to end on Saturday, with teams from at least 20 African countries expected to compete for honours.

Ahmed said LGAN remained committed to using golf as a platform for youth development, empowerment and the promotion of greater participation by women and girls in sports.

She urged stakeholders to support initiatives that would make golf more accessible to young girls and create sustainable pathways for their participation in the sport. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Esenvosa Izah