AJGL: Building Pakistan’s next generation of international golfers
Pakistan’s junior golfers are increasingly finding their place on the international stage, with recent performances demonstrating the value of sustained grassroots development.
At the 3rd Bangladesh Junior Golf Championship 2026, held in Dhaka from September 24–26, Pakistan’s nine-member junior team returned with two championship titles and a runner-up finish among 84 young golfers representing Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Mongolia and Cambodia.
Played over 54 holes in the Under-15 and Under-19 categories, the championship tested the players’ skill, consistency and endurance. Hot weather and greens running at approximately 9–10 on the Stimpmeter added further difficulty to the three-day competition.
The Pakistan team was selected by the Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) following an invitation from the Bangladesh Golf Federation. A particularly significant aspect of the selection was that all nine players were members of the Ace Junior Golf League (AJGL), underlining the contribution of regular grassroots competition to the development of young talent.
Pakistan’s girls produced outstanding results. Jannat Aamer Jami won the Girls Under-15 title with 261 (+45), while Nabeeha Nafees secured the Girls Under-19 championship with 272 (+56). Areeba Rizwan finished runner-up with 290 (+74), while Wareesha Shahid Malik and Dua Farid Rao placed fourth and fifth respectively.
The boys also delivered competitive performances. Mustafa Zubair shared fourth place in Under-19 with 229 (+13), followed by Muhammad Barik Ayub, who finished eighth with 235 (+19). In Under-15, Muhammad Musa Adil Waraich finished fifth with 247 (+31), while Behzad Murtaza placed sixth with 249 (+33).
Beyond the results, the championship gave all nine juniors valuable international experience and an opportunity to compete in conditions and against opponents different from those they regularly encounter at home.
For AJGL, the importance of the Dhaka experience goes beyond the leaderboard. Over the past four years, the League has focused on creating a consistent competitive environment for young golfers through monthly tournaments, age-group championships and wider tournament exposure.
With approximately 400 registered golfers aged 6–21, and competitions held across Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar, AJGL has established a growing national grassroots platform. Its philosophy is reflected in the messages “Off the Screens, Onto the Greens” and “Let’s Swing to Excel.” The emphasis is on encouraging young people to take up golf, remain engaged with the sport and develop through regular competition.
The fact that all nine members of Pakistan’s Dhaka team came through the AJGL membership provides an important example of how a structured grassroots programme can connect young golfers with the national pathway.
“The Ace Junior Golf League has come into its own, making a commendable contribution to the golfing arena at the national level. Over four years, AJGL has filled an important gap by providing young golfers with a consistent monthly platform to compete, develop and gain valuable grassroots exposure. Through dedicated effort and perseverance, the League has firmly established its place in Pakistan’s junior development golfing landscape.
“A particularly significant milestone is that all nine junior players selected to represent Pakistan at the Juniors International Championship in Bangladesh were registered AJGL members. This achievement demonstrates the value of regular competition and the League’s role in nurturing emerging talent.
“I extend my sincere compliments to Dr. Asma Shami, Munazza Shaheen, Col. Shahadat, and the Vice Presidents of AJGL from the four participating cities for their vision, dedication and sustained efforts. Their collective achievement is a matter of genuine pride and a meaningful contribution to the future of junior golf in Pakistan,” said Lt. Gen. Hilal Hussain (Retd.), who is Patron & Chief Ace Junior Golf League’s.
The Dhaka championship represents both an achievement and an opportunity for the future. Two titles and a runner-up finish provide encouraging evidence of the ability emerging within Pakistan’s junior ranks. Equally important is the international experience gained by all nine players.
The next challenge is to build on that experience and create a pathway towards sustained performance. That will require continuity in quality coaching, regular competition, international exposure and support from clubs, coaches and parents.
The objective should extend beyond producing occasional junior winners. The broader aim is to develop golfers who are technically sound, confident under pressure and prepared to compete consistently at national and international levels.
AJGL has helped establish the grassroots foundation. The next phase is to strengthen that foundation, expand the talent pool and provide greater opportunities for promising players to progress.
Dedicated long term investment in coaching, competition and international exposure, supported by the PGF, AJGL, clubs, coaches and parents, can turn a promise into performance and strengthen Pakistan’s standing internationally.
