Absa Bank Kenya has today announced a KES70 million investment as the Official Presenting Partner of the 2023 Magical Kenya Open (MKO) tournament set to be held at the Muthaiga Golf Club from 9th to 12th March.
This is the 12th consecutive year that Absa is partnering with the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) to sponsor the international tournament, now firmly part of the prestigious DP World Tour. The 2023 edition is expected to attract an estimated 156 elite golfers from across the world, including 8 Kenyan professionals (Pros) and 6 amateurs who will take a shot at the high stakes $2 million prize purse.
Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony, Absa Bank’s interim Managing Director, Yusuf Omari, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to continue partnering with the Government of Kenya, the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) and other partners to growing the profile of the tournament because of the important role it plays in positioning Kenya as an international tourism and sporting destination.
“For us, the MKO presents another unique opportunity to showcase the tenacity and effort by great golfers across the world, including the resilience of our local golfers. At Absa, we refer to this as the Africanacity spirit; that distinct African ability to always find a way to get things done despite all obstacles,” Mr. Omari said.
He added: “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.”
On his part, the KOGL chairman Mr. Peter Kanyago, commended Absa for yet again coming on board as the main and presenting partner for the tournament.
He said: “Together with our partners, we have set stage for another thrilling Kenya Open Golf Championships where some of the world’s top golfers will be battling it out for an enhanced prize purse of nearly KES249 million ($2 million). This is the second time that the DP World Tour event will be held at the Muthaiga Golf Club which tags itself as the ‘Home of Golf’.”
As the official Presenting Partner, part of Absa’s support will go to the KOGL as sponsorship fees, which will enable them to meet their obligations around eventing and prize giving money. Other amounts will be invested directly by Absa to create memorable moments for our customers and golf enthusiasts and spectators.
“We will use the other part of our investment to amplify the stature of this tournament using various traditional media and digital channels to continue elevating the tournament and to make it bigger and better than last year’s,” Mr Omari added.
Over and above the sponsorship kitty through KOGL, part of the Bank’s additional support will go towards the local players’ welfare, ensuring they are in good shape and are motivated to compete against other renowned multinational golfers.
Over 15,000 spectators are expected to visit Muthaiga Golf Club over the four days of the tournament. “We are equally excited in showcasing Kenya to the world because this year’s championship will be televised live to a global audience of over 500 million households,” Mr. Kanyago added.
Present at the event were the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Ababu Namwamba and Permanent Secretary, State Department of Sports and Arts, Jonathan Mueke.
The Kenya Open, which was first held in 1967, has grown to become one of Kenya’s and Sub-Saharan most prestigious sporting events. Last year, Chinese Ashun Wu won the Magical Kenya Open played at the Muthaiga Golf Club.
