Indoor golf, a variation of golf played in an enclosed space, has made its debut in Cameroon, promising a new dimension to the country's sporting landscape. The Elessa Lothin-Sen Foundation is spearheading this initiative, ensuring the promotion and development of this innovative discipline.
The foundation announced the upcoming launch of its first indoor golf championship, called the "Malimba Golf Championship," at a press conference held on April 11 at the Malimba Degustations and Golf Academy in Douala. Louis Deschamps Lothin Elessa, head of the foundation, presented the strategic vision and activities planned for 2026, focused on social, economic and sports initiatives.
Beyond the introduction of indoor golf, the Elessa Lothin-Sen Foundation presented a review of its nine years of existence, highlighting significant actions such as donations of 2,200 school scholarships and 9,000 books, as well as the organization of eight economic forums since 2018. Lothin Elessa highlighted the reform of the foundation's economic activities, with the establishment of two annual forums in June and December, while maintaining and expanding scholarships for academic excellence.
The "Malimba Golf Championship" will begin at the end of July 2026, replacing the Open Golf Charity. This golf championship aims to establish international connections, including with the African Golf Confederation and a collegiate partnership with England. Cameroon is thus positioning itself as the third country in the world, after the United States and England, to practice indoor golf, and the first in Africa to consider organizing a championship in this discipline. The foundation plans to introduce this sport to businesses.
The space dedicated to indoor golf is located within the Malimba Degustations restaurant. According to Justin Théodore Penda, president of the golf section at the Elessa Lothin-Sen Foundation, this variant offers a new way to practice golf in a small space, sheltered from the weather and with faster games. Lothin Elessa insists on the quality of the Cameroonian facilities, claiming that they surpass those of many countries with a long golfing tradition, particularly in terms of surface area and available workshops.
The "Malimba Golf Championship" will take place over three days, with a final scheduled for November 2026. This new discipline is seen as a tool for networking and economic development. The Elessa Lothin-Sen Foundation continues to innovate in golf in Cameroon, promoting altruism and integrity, in accordance with its motto: "to be useful to others".
