BLOW AS KENYA OPEN GOLF IS CANCELLED DUE TO CORONA VIRUS

Kenya Golf Guide

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) awards Italian Guido Migliozzi the winner’s prize during 2019 Kenya Open Golf championships at the Karen Golf and Country Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

It was a blow to golf enthusiasts, players and corporate companies today when Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of Health Mutahi Kagwe announced the cancelation of this year’s Kenya Open Golf Championships that was to tee off at the Karen Golf and Country Club next week.
Kagwe said the country would not host any international sporting event or meeting for the next 30 days as a precaution for the deadly virus that has killed close to 3,000 persons in China, despite the fact that there are still no reported cases in the country.
The Kenya Open Golf Limited chairman Peter Kanyago said: “We have received the Government of Kenya’s decision to postpone all conferences and meetings of an international nature in Kenya for the next 30 days, including the 2020 Magical Kenya Open, due to the ongoing global threat from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).”
He said they respect the decision of the Government and supports all efforts that safeguard the country against the possible entry of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“I have conveyed the Government of Kenya decision to the European Tour and they have assured us of their full support and we will be announcing new dates for the championship in due course. We will be sending out further communication to all our stakeholders,” he said.
Meanwhile, the European Tour in their website said: “Due to the threat posed by the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Government of Kenya, has this morning advised of their decision to postpone all meetings and conferences in the country of an international nature, a suspension which will be reviewed in a month’s time.”
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour said: “We understand and totally respect the decision made by the Government of Kenya in these difficult times.
“We are looking into the possibility of rescheduling the tournament at some point later in the season, but that remains simply a possibility right now – we have no definitive plans at this stage.
“I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Kenyan Government for their unwavering support, alongside Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman Peter Kanyago and Tournament Director Patrick Obath for their strenuous efforts and commitment. We look forward to returning to Kenya in due course.”

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