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.”

Chief Enterprise Officer, Safaricom PLC, Rita Okuthe hands over a five million Kenya shilling cheque to Kenya Open Golf Limited, Chairman Peter Kanyago(L) for the magical Kenya Open 2020 at Michael Joseph Center.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Safaricom has today announced a KSH 5 million sponsorship towards the 2020 Kenya Open, scheduled to take place at the Karen Country Club from 12^th – 15^th March 2020.

As the official connectivity partner, Safaricom will set up a fully operational media centre with high speed internet, laptops and a printer. They will also set up connectivity for key areas such as the European Tour Offices, Kenya Open Golf Limited offices and provide fibre for the TV compound broadcast so that it is streamed to local and global media partners.

“Over the last six years with the exception of 2019, we have delivered first class internet and data solutions to support the media and livestream requirements for the event’s local and global broadcasts. This has allowed us to reinforce the strength, reliability and speed of our data solutions. We remain committed to playing our role in transforming lives through sports and Kenya Open is an important platform for us to do this,” said Rita Okuthe, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom.

This year’s Kenya Open will feature a strong field of talent comprising a total of 138 professionals and 6 amateur players (5 Kenyan and 1 Tanzanian) competing for a prize kitty of €1.1M (KSH 122.94 Million).

“We thank Safaricom for their support of the 2020 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship. Through this sponsorship, Safaricom will, once again, provide the tournament with cutting edge connectivity and communication solutions that will meet the demands of the tournament”, said Peter Kanyago, Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman

During the event, which is taking place for a second time as part of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, the scoring teams will be able to capture scores and data through the provision of 20 4G enabled tablets and phones.

Prior to the main tournament, the venue will host a Pro-Am tournament on Wednesday where visiting players will join club members and sponsors guests for a round of golf.