By Correspondent in Minna.
As Nigeria gears up for All Africa Golf Challenge Trophy in November, over 250 lady golfers from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have stormed Minna, the Niger State capital, for the highly anticipated 2025 Northern Zonal Golf Championship.
The championship, which teed off on Wednesday, June 18, is being organized by the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) and is expected to conclude on Saturday, June 21.
Players will compete over 54 holes in what promises to be a thrilling contest of skill, endurance, and sportsmanship.
LGAN President, Evelyn Oyome, revealed this while addressing journalists at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Minna, during the opening ceremony.
She noted that the event is part of ongoing efforts to deepen the participation of women in golf across Nigeria and promote the game at the grassroots.
According to Oyome, the championship adheres to the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) standard, adding that while the competition is focused on female amateur golfers, male players are also participating as guests.
“We are excited about the turnout and the enthusiasm shown by female golfers from all corners of the country. This is a major step toward repositioning women’s golf in Nigeria,” she said.
Looking ahead, Oyome disclosed that Nigeria is set to host the prestigious All Africa Golf Challenge Trophy (AAGCT) in November 2025, with 26 African countries expected to compete at the IBB Golf Club in Abuja.
She, however, called on the federal government and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to support the event and take concrete steps to reinstate golf as an official sport at the National Sports Festival (NSF).
“Golf remains excluded from the National Sports Festival, and it’s not part of the next Olympic Games either. This trend is stifling the growth and development of the sport, particularly for young talents,” she emphasized.
LGAN’s First Vice President, Lami Onayi Ahmed, explained that Minna was deliberately chosen to host this year’s zonal championship to encourage broader participation of women in golf, especially from underserved regions in Northern Nigeria.
“This is about inclusion, visibility, and strengthening our grassroots base. We want every part of the North to feel the impact of golf development,” she said.
Our correspondent reports that aa the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Minna to deliver a memorable experience for players and fans alike, a fitting prelude to the continental showdown in Abuja later this year.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
