Boost as Absa pumps in Sh60 million towards Magical Kenya Open

The 56th edition of the Magical Kenya Open got a shot in the arm after ABSA Bank committed a sum of Kshs.60 million towards the tournament.

The four-day tourney that will be held from February 20th to 23rd will take place at the famed "Home of Golf"; the Muthaiga Golf Club and is expected to bring together about 144 players from different countries.

ABSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdi Mohammed affirmed their commitment to supporting the global tournament, further cementing a partnership that spans 14 years and is geared towards a continuation in the future.

The banker`s cheque stipulates that 40 of the total sums goes to the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) for use in prepping for the tournament. 

 "Our association with the sport has been a long-term association for may years and so this is a continuation and 2025 edition of Magical Kenya promises to be an exciting event bringing pros from all over the world.

“This will put our country in the sporting map of the world and really the reason we participate year in year out as ABSA is to support to be a part of sports which is a very important part of Kenya`s own brand out there."

The Monday mid-morning launch is expected to give the 18-hole course a major boost in its efforts to strengthen as a global tour destination since its addition to the global tours in 2019.

Sports principal secretary Engineer Peter Tum lauded the banker`s commitment to promoting sports and especially golf. Tum praised ABSA`s   initiative as it aligned with the government`s ambitions to promote sports among the youth in the country. 

"It makes us as the government proud of the enterprises that we have in this country, for it is the recognition that the youth which is around 70 per cent of the population of this country have their interest that must be addressed."he said

The tour themed; Beyond the Swing, is expected to elevate Kenya beyond the Sports including promoting tourism to showcase the country`s might in the tourism sector.

It will feature eight Kenyans who will compete alongside the competition that will include the best players in the world.

It is expected to showcase a bunch of talents from around the world who will be putting their best foot forward in order to win the coveted 2.5 million dollars prize money. 

The extravaganza will also incorporate young golfers from Kenya who will be mentored by their fellow peers who have already turned pro and this is in order to nurture the talents of young golfers who have not yet been exposed to the conditions of being pro golfers.

At the same time, Muthaiga Golf Club Chairperson, Dennis Mwirigi has urged the public to come out in their numbers in order to cheer on the players, especially the Kenyan players who will be representing the country in this year`s edition of the tournament.

He hailed the course as one of its kind, "the Home of Golf,” its pristine condition and its accessibility by the public adding that it was only right the club hosted the major tour for the fourth year in a row. 

“Come in and join us, we have eight Kenyan pros, five amateurs who could represent us, it is very important that Kenyans come out and support all our pros and amateurs as we attempt to win this event." 

Mwirigi added that a win for Kenya in the event would be significance since no Kenyan has won the major tourneys in a long time and the significance of such a win would be vastly celebrated.