National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko has assured that he is in support of a bid for Nigeria to host this year’s All Africa Challenge Trophy at IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
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Sports247 gathered that, ahead of the competition scheduled for November, Dikko gave his support while hosting a delegation of Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), whoch is facilitating Nigeria’s bid for hosting the golf challenge.
Led by their president, Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed, the LGAN solicited for support of the NSC towards a successfully hosting of the continent.
NSC’s head of communications and public relations, Dr (Mrs) Kehinde Ajayi revealed in a press statement that Dr Ahmed disclosed that, when they submitted the bid in Agadir, Morocco, it was like going into the bush looking for a ‘squirrel.’
However, when the rights were awarded to Nigeria, it was like the LGAN had caught an ‘elephant.’
She said that made them step out to seek support from the NSC in dealing hosting the ‘giant animal,’ which was beyond their expectations.
In his response, Dikko assured LGAN of the NSC’s resolve to turn the country into a major global sporting hub by regularly hosting international tournaments.
Dikko declared, “What you have done by securing this hosting right aligns with the vision of the Commission under the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) platform and the shared prosperity disposition of the President, who has mandated us to ensure the full potential of the sports economy is harnessed.
“To harness the sports economy, we have to host as many international tournaments as possible. The value chains of such a tournament are massive from the airport to the workers at the venue of the tournament.
“This is what we call sports economy, creating sports jobs and we want to contribute at least 3% to the nation’s GDP. Moreover, this tournament will be a big PR for the country.
“When we host such tournaments, we open Nigeria to the whole continent. We had over 12 international tournaments in 2025.Our job here is to regulate.
“We create the enablers to ensure that every sport has the opportunity to develop. We have nothing like big or small sports here. Be assured that we will give you the necessary support because you are showcasing the country to the world.”
While commending the group for their efforts towards the development of female golfers, the NSC Chairman applauded Nigeria’s female athletes for doing the nation proud over the years.
At least 30 African countries have indicated interest in the tournament, which is a platform for the amateur golfers in the continent to get exposure and be assessed by the international body.
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