Kenya has officially announced that it will host the 2026 All-Africa Junior Team Championship (AAJTC), marking the first time the country will stage the continental junior golf event.
The championship is scheduled to take place from March 23 to 26 at the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club in Nairobi.
It will bring together junior teams from across Africa for the prestigious tournament sanctioned by the African Golf Confederation and The R&A.
In a press statement issued on March 18, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya said Kenya’s selection reflects confidence in the country’s sporting infrastructure, governance reforms and experience in hosting international competitions.
“Once again, Kenya is Africa’s choice, an affirmation of our formidable investment in sports infrastructure, strengthened policy and governance frameworks and our proven excellence in organising and hosting world-class sporting events across multiple disciplines,” Mvurya said.
He said the tournament aligns with the government’s broader agenda of nurturing young talent and positioning sports as a driver of economic growth and regional integration.
The All-Africa Junior Team Championship will feature participants from Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Mvurya described the event as more than a competition, saying it serves as a platform for youth development, talent identification and international exposure for emerging golfers across the continent.
The championship comes at a time when Kenya has been hosting several major international sporting events, including the Magical Kenya Open, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Nairobi, the World Rally Championship Safari Rally, international taekwondo competitions and the upcoming Kip Keino Classic.
Looking ahead, Kenya is also preparing to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations next year, further signalling its long-term commitment to strengthening the country’s sporting profile.
Mvurya said Kenya’s ability to successfully organise global events demonstrates growing institutional capacity and trust from the international sporting community.
He also highlighted governance reforms within the sports sector, including Kenya’s removal from the World Anti-Doping Agency watchlist, describing it as a milestone in efforts to promote clean sport and compliance with global standards.
According to the ministry, ongoing reforms, including amendments to the Sports Act and the development of new sports policies, are aimed at enhancing accountability and encouraging investment in the sector.
The government has also embarked on developing a structured golf curriculum to support grassroots talent development through academies, creating pathways for young players to progress to continental and international platforms.
The initiative will strengthen talent identification and ensure more structured training opportunities for aspiring golfers.
As Kenya prepares to host the continental junior championship, Mvurya welcomed participating countries and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to delivering a successful event.
The tournament is expected to provide young athletes with high-level competition experience, mentorship opportunities and exposure that could shape their future careers in the sport.
Kenya’s hosting of the 2026 AAJTC further reinforces its growing reputation as a leading destination for international sports events in Africa.
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