Muthaiga Golf Club’s Jay Sandhu celebrates after winning the 2026 NCBA Muthaiga Open title.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Home player Jay Sandhu has been crowned the winner of the 2026 NCBA Muthaiga Open, the fifth leg of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) circuit. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Fresh from his victory at the Windsor Classic, Sandhu maintained his blistering form over the three-round tournament, carding rounds of 69, 70, and 72 for a total of 2-under par 211 and successfully fending off a competitive field of 145 elite amateur golfers, that included fifteeen juniors, four of whom made the cut to play the final round

Despite bogeys on the 10th, 13th, and 14th holes during the final round, Sandhu secured his lead with critical birdies on the 4th and 18th.

Speaking after his triumph, Sandhu said: “Winning here at Muthaiga is always special, but to do it back-to-back after Windsor feels incredible. The course was playing fast, and I knew I had to stay patient when those bogeys crept in on the back nine. This win isn’t just about the trophy; it’s about the momentum we’re building for next year’s Magical Kenya Open qualification.”

Sandhu secured the top prize of Ksh 115,600 from the Ksh 400,000 purse.

The battle for second was equally intense. John Lejirma of Royal Nairobi Golf Club pushed the pace with an aggressive final round of 71. Lejirma’s scorecard was the most active of the day, featuring five birdies on holes 6, 7, 12, 15 and the 18th. However, five bogeys prevented him from catching Sandhu, leaving him at level par 213 (69, 73, 71) for the tournament, taking home Ksh 69,400.

2026 NCBA Muthaiga Open champion Jay Sandhu poses with his trophy.

Reflecting on his runner-up finish, Lejirma, who is the KAGC overall defending champion noted: “It was a fight from the first tee to the last green. I felt like I had the birdies in me today, but a few dropped shots especially on the par-4s kept the lead just out of reach. Two shots is a small margin at Muthaiga, but I’m happy with how I’m striking the ball. I can only hope to improve moving forward to other tournaments.”

Rounding out the podium was Michael Karanga who showed remarkable consistency and improvement throughout the weekend, carding rounds of 73, 71, and a final-day 70. His 1-under par final round was one of the best of the day, moving him into third place with a total of 1-over par 214. He earned Ksh 46,200 for his efforts.

Muthaiga’s Daniel Kiragu secured fourth place with a 3-over par 216, while Bo Ciera rounded out the top five at 4-over par 217.

Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony NCBA Ciata Mall Branch Manager Emmanuel Leitemu stated: At NCBA, we are incredibly happy to support the growth of golf in Kenya. Watching Jay Sandhu maintain his form and seeing the grit of players like Lejirma and Warigia confirms that the standard of the KAGC is reaching new heights. The circuit is growing stronger with every leg, and we are proud to provide a platform where every performance brings these athletes closer to their professional dreams.

With this win, Jay Sandhu extends his lead at the top of the standings with 560 points. Junior star Junaid Manji sits in second with 334 points, followed closely by John Lejirma in third with 230 points.

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