Jay Sandhu poses after winning the NCBA Windsor Classic

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The fifth leg of the 2026 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series, the NCBA Muthaiga Open, will take place this weekend from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22 at the prestigious Muthaiga Golf Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

A competitive field of 145 golfers is expected to tee off in the three-day championship, including 15 junior golfers, underlining the growing depth of talent within Kenya’s amateur golf ranks.

Fresh from victory at the fourth leg of the series, the Windsor Classic held at Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Jay Sandhu will be among the players to watch this weekend. Sandhu will enjoy home advantage as he returns to compete at his home course at Muthaiga, where he will be seeking to build on the momentum from his recent triumph.

Junior golfers will also be keen to continue their impressive performances following last weekend’s event at Windsor. Kanana Muthomi emerged as one of the standout performers, finishing third overall on three over par 219, a result that highlighted the rising influence of junior players in the national amateur circuit.

Cherono Kipkorir in action during the Royal Nairobi Golf Club NCBA Golf Series qualifier.

The NCBA Muthaiga Open is expected to deliver high-level competition across all rounds, with players battling not only for the title but also valuable points on the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship series standings as the race for season honours intensifies.

Junaid Manji leads the standings having won the opening leg at Sigona Golf Club alongside a fifth-place finish at Windsor last weekend to take his points tally for the season so far to 334, followed by Sandhu and Rafael Leming’ani on second and third respectively.

The weekend will also see the spotlight extend to junior golf development through two Junior Golf Foundation Kenya events taking place.

Speaking ahead of the weekend events, NCBA GMD John Gachora reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting golf across all levels.

John Lejirma in action during the 2025 NCBA Nyali Open

“Through our continued support for amateur and junior tournaments such as the Muthaiga Open and the Junior Golf Foundation events this weekend, we remain committed to nurturing talent and strengthening the growth of golf in Kenya. It is encouraging to see increasing participation from both elite amateurs and juniors, which speaks to the bright future of the sport,” he said.

On Friday, March 20, the NCBA Interschool Golf Tournament will be held at Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, bringing together young golfers from various schools in a competitive format designed to nurture emerging talent.

That will be followed by the NCBA US Kids Golf Spring Local Tour – Nairobi set to take place at the Karen Country Club on Saturday, March 20, attracting players to compete across different age classifications, both boys and girls.

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