Kenya’s leading telco Safaricom PLC has assured its commitment to nurture and support sports talents in the country.
Safaricom has been associated with sports such as golf, athletics, rugby, and football over the last two decades. Safaricom believes in using sports to transform and grow the livelihood of athletes across the country.
As part of its commitment to sports, the company recently, through its mobile money service, M-PESA announced a KES 20 million sponsorship for the second edition of the Magical Kenya Ladies Golf Open.
“We are honoured to be part of the Ladies European Tour, which makes a return for the second time in Kenya and East Africa region, and the first event of the 2022 season. The Ladies European Tour provides Kenyan lady golfers with an opportunity to learn and grow in the sport, and we look forward to seeing the players in action”
Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom.
The telco also recently launched its golf series dubbed Safaricom Golf Tour, which aims to nurture and grow talents in golf. It has invested KES 100 million for this inaugural edition of the tour, played in 14 various golf clubs across the country.
“Sports sponsorship remains an important area for us because of its role in transforming the lives of Kenyans, especially the youth. Our goal with the Safaricom Golf Tour is to provide a platform that seeks to demystify the game, which has long been seen as a sport for the elite and position it as one that is accessible for all. The young golfers we nurture and develop have an opportunity to become the next generation of pros in future and earn from their passion”, said Mr. Ndegwa.
A large part of this investment will support golf clinics and training for young people who want to take up the sport but might not have the resources to do so. And as part of inclusivity, the Safaricom Golf Tour also involves the best caddies tournaments played on Monday’s to allow them to grow in the sport.