PS Elijah Mwangi launching the 2026 All-Africa Junior Teams Championships at Windsor

By DANIELLA APIYO

The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Sports, Mr. Elijah Mwangi, today officially launched the 2026 All-Africa Junior Team Championship (AAJTC), and announced that the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Sports, will serve as the Lead Sponsor of the tournament. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The announcement was made during a high-profile launch held at Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, where the Principal Secretary also unveiled the national junior golf team that will represent Kenya at the continental championship scheduled for March 23–26, 2026.

Bianca Ngechu

As the primary sponsor of the event, the Government’s investment underscores its commitment to youth talent development and the strategic positioning of sports as a key driver of national development. The championship will see over 100 elite junior golfers from 15 African countries compete in Kenya in what is expected to be one of the most competitive editions of the tournament. The countries include Kenya, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“The Government of Kenya is proud to be the anchor sponsor of the All-Africa Junior Team Championship. Our investment through the Ministry of Sports reflects our belief in the potential of our youth,” said PS Elijah Mwangi. “By hosting this continental event, we are not only promoting golf but also positioning Kenya as a premier sports tourism destination.”

PS Elijah Mwangi

During the event, the Principal Secretary also unveiled a seven-member national team comprising four boys and three girls, who will carry Kenya’s hopes in the championship against approximately 100 of Africa’s top junior golfers.

Notably, all four boys in the squad were part of Kenya’s victorious team at the Victoria Cup, which concluded in Uganda last weekend, highlighting the country’s strong junior golf pipeline and competitive readiness ahead of the continental championship.

The launch event was attended by several key tournament partners and sponsors, including NCBA Bank, Reload, AAR, Kenya Airways, Brookside, Avenue Healthcare, Kenya Pipeline Company, and Nation Media Group, whose support has been instrumental in bringing the championship to Kenya.

Vincent Mukiri, President of the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF), expressed appreciation for the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in delivering the event.

PS Elijah Mwangi with Kenya’s Junior Golf team.

“The journey to host the AAJTC has been made possible through the collective efforts of the Ministry of Sports, The R&A, and our corporate partners. This championship provides a vital platform for identifying and nurturing Africa’s emerging golf talent while preparing them for the global stage,” he said.

The All-Africa Junior Team Championship has served as a launching pad for numerous African golfers who have gone on to compete at the Toyota World Junior Golf Championship and achieve success at collegiate and professional levels. The 2026 edition at Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club continues this legacy by providing a high-performance competitive environment for junior golfers aged 18 and under.

Championship at a glance:

• Event: 2026 All-Africa Junior Team Championship (AAJTC)
• Host Nation: Kenya
• Venue: Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, Nairobi
• Competition Rounds: March 23rd – 26th, 2026
• Participating Nations: 15 African Countries

Kenyan junior golfer Malaika Kasio tees-off at Windsor during the NCBA Kenya Invitational Junior tournament earlier this year.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) is set to host the annual NCBA Kenya Junior Invitational, the largest and most prestigious event on the U.S. Kids Golf calendar in Kenya. The tournament will take place from December 20th to 22nd, 2025, at the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, and is expected to attract approximately 120 elite junior golfers from across the globe. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Now a cornerstone event on the regional junior golf calendar, the NCBA Junior Invitational has grown steadily over the years, earning a reputation for world-class organization, strong competition, and international participation. The 2025 edition will feature juniors from eight countries: Kenya, Uganda, Lithuania, India, Thailand, Norway, Nigeria, and China, reinforcing the event’s growing global profile.

The Invitational carries additional significance, with the Boys 13–14, Boys 15–18, and Girls 15–18 categories eligible for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points. This provides young golfers with a rare and valuable opportunity to earn international ranking points on home soil, further strengthening Kenya’s position as a hub for competitive junior golf in Africa.

Previous editions of the NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Invitational have produced standout performances from juniors who have gone on to compete and win in regional and international amateur events. The tournament has become a critical stepping stone for juniors transitioning from national competition to global stages, aligning with JGF’s long-term player development pathway.

Adam Nesbitt in action at Muthaiga during the NCBA US Kids Golf Fall Tour Championship.

Speaking ahead of the event, James Odingo, Tournament Director and Vice President of the Junior Golf Foundation, emphasized the Invitational’s importance to junior golf development in Kenya and beyond:

“The NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Invitational is the pinnacle of our junior golf calendar. It brings together the best junior golfers from different parts of the world, creating a competitive environment that challenges our players and prepares them for international golf. With WAGR points on offer and participation from eight countries, this event continues to raise the standard of junior golf in Kenya.”

He added:

“Over the years, we have seen juniors who competed in this Invitational go on to excel in elite amateur tournaments and earn global recognition. This event is a clear demonstration of what is possible when strong partnerships, quality competition, and structured development come together.

The tournament is sponsored by NCBA Bank, the title sponsor of the U.S. Kids Golf Series. NCBA’s support of junior golf has played a pivotal role in expanding access to competitive opportunities, nurturing talent, and positioning Kenya as a leading destination for junior golf in the region.

NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora, said: “The NCBA U.S. Kids Golf Kenya Invitational reflects our long-term commitment to developing junior golf in Kenya and across the region. Through our partnership with the Junior Golf Foundation and U.S. Kids Golf, we are creating structured pathways that give young players exposure, competitive experience, and opportunities to grow both locally and internationally. We are proud to see this tournament continue to raise standards and position Kenya as a destination for world-class junior golf. We are delighted to welcome all the junior golfers to this tournament as we close the year.”