L-R Mike Kisia, Daniel Nduva, Mutahi Kibugu, Absa’s CEO Yusuf Omari, Samuel Njoroge, Absa’s Chief Marketing Officer Carolyne Kendi, Dismas Indiza, Simon Ngige and Justus Madoya

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Nine local golfers headlining this year’s edition of the Magical Kenya Open (MKO) will benefit from a Ksh 2.7 million sponsorship package courtesy of Absa Bank Kenya aimed at motivating the best performance from Team Kenya.

The Bank has announced it will sponsor all eight Kenyan Pro golfers; Mike Kisia, Simon Ngige, Daniel Nduva, Justus Madoya, Dismas Indiza, Mutahi Kibugu, Samuel Njoroge and Greg Snow. The sponsorship is also being extended to amateur sensation, Njoroge Kibugu, who given his stellar performance last year setting the stage for a highly anticipated tournament

Speaking during the sponsorship announcement, Absa Bank Kenya Interim Managing Director Yusuf Omari said the sponsorship will go a long way in facilitating the golfers to effectively participate in the tournament and inspire a good performance by the team.

“We expect this year’s tournament to be competitive and as a brand, we are standing alongside our local Pros who have done well in the past by making it to the final entry list. We understand that these players have huge ambitions coming into the tournament, and as a bank that believes in bringing possibilities to life, our investment goes to them to ensure they have everything they need to effectively compete against world-class golfers,” said Omari.

Omari further explained the inspiration behind the sponsorship is the fact that the tournament resonates with the bank’s brand spirit of Africanacity, which is the distinct ability and determination to always find ingenious ways to get things done despite the challenges people face.

As part of the sponsorship, each of the eight Pros will receive cash support of Ksh 300,000 to assist in meeting tournament costs such as registration and caddie fees. Additionally, players who qualify for the top 20 cuts will receive KES500,000 each, while those who make it to the final top 10 will get KES1 million. In addition, Absa will supply the players with branded kits and golf balls for the entire duration of the tournament.

Speaking for the Pros, Daniel Nduva thanked Absa for the continued support over the years and urged Kenyans to rally behind them as they prepare to compete in the tournament.  “We are grateful to Absa Bank for this invaluable support and promise to make the country proud in this tournament,” he said.

With a prize purse of $2 million (an estimated Ksh254 million), the 2023 edition will bring together 156 golfers from around the world, including eight Kenyan Pros, six Kenyan amateurs, and two regional players. Among international golfers scheduled to participate in this year’s tournament include 2022 defending champion Ashun Wu, Spaniard Adrián Otaegui, Scottish Richie Ramsay and 2021 winner South Africa’s Justin Harding.

Two weeks ago, Absa Bank Kenya announced an overall investment of Ksh70 million as the Official Presenting Partner for the 2023 MKO in line with the Bank’s long-term commitment to sports such as golf and athletics.

Left to Right PS Sports PS Jonathan Mueke, KOGL Chairman Peter Kanyago, Sport CS Ababu Namwamba as Absa Bank Interim MD Yusuf Omari signs off the dummy cheque

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The 54th edition of the Magical Kenya Open tournament on Monday received a major boost with the tourney that is set for March 9 tee-off at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, landing a sponsorship package of Sh70 million from title sponsors Absa Bank.

Absa has committed a whopping Ksh 70m for the tournament that is part of

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba who graced the official launch of the event that is set to be part of the DP Tour (formerly European Tour), noted the importance of the annual golf event, promising government resources in support for its success.

“The Magical Kenya Open comes after we successfully hosted the Ladies event in Vipingo. This tournament is indeed a confirmation that Kenya is the home of golfing tournaments. Kenya Golf Limited has continued to create a good environment for our players both pros and amateurs in order to participate in this event. As a government we will continue to support the tournament to its success,” said Namwamba.

Absa Bank Chief Executive Officer Yusuf Omari said as a corporate they are proud to partner with Kenya Golf Limited for the 13th year articulating their success story for the previous 12-year engagements.

“For us, the MKO presents another unique opportunity to showcase the tenacity and effort of great golfers across the world, including the resilience of our local golfers. Over the last 12 years, we have played our role, not only in the growth and elevation of the Kenya Open to world-class standards but also in demystifying golf as a sport that is loved, appreciated and celebrated by Kenyans from different walks of life and not just the elite.”

A total of 156 local and international golfers are set to compete in this year’s event from 9-12th March.

Kenya will be represented by eight local professionals and six local amateur golfers.

The pro golfers include Jastas Madoya, Daniel Nduva, Mike Kisia, Mutahi Kibugu, Simon Ngige, Dismas Indiza, Samuel Njoroge and Greg Snow.

Zimbabwe’s professional duo of Robson Chinhoi and Nyasha Muyambo have also received an invitation to participate in the big money three-day event.

Organisers of the event are targeting more than 15,000 spectators with over 500m people globally set to be reached through television viewership.

China’s Ashun Wu won last year’s title and bagged Sh 37m.