Huge cash boost for Kenya Open

This year’s Barclays Kenya Open golf championship has received a major boost of Sh50 million from the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) with other corporates also chipping in towards next week’s event.

Speaking during the cheque hand over ceremony, KTB chief executive officer Betty Radier expressed the board’s commitment to support sports as a means of marketing Kenya as the preferred destination.

“As the organization mandated with the task of inspiring the world to visit Kenya, we are committed to supporting sports events such as the Kenya Open Golf Championship that provide exposure to the destination on the local and international scene.”

DIVERSITY OF KENYA'S TOURISM

Among the engagements that will fall under KTB’s sponsorship include sponsorship of a game drive and cocktail event for local and international golf players as well as familiarization tours during the course of the Kenya Open Golf tournament to expose the players to Kenya’s tourism offering.

The KTB boss hailed the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) as a key partner in the board’s efforts to showcase the diversity of Kenya’s tourism product which include golf tourism.

“Our efforts to market Kenya as a golf tourism destination will not end with the 2018 Kenya Golf Open Championship,” said Radier. KOGL chairman Peter Kanyago thanked KTB, saying the sponsorship would go a long way in raising the standards of the Kenya Open Championship.

Kanyago said KOGL will reward local pros who will excel by both making the cut and finishing in the top 10 at this year’s Open which is scheduled to be held at the Muthaiga Golf Club next week from Thursday to Sunday.

“This year we have challenged the Kenyan pros taking part at the Kenya Open by offering incentives which we hope will lead to a much greater performance from them than we have had in previous years.

SH10 MILLION FOR WINNER

“In this regard, whoever makes the cut will get Sh100,000 and whoever finishes among the top 10 will walk away with Sh 500,000,” he said.

The cash incentive will be over and above the money which the players will earn from the tournament’s overall prize kitty of Sh62.5 million, the biggest on the 2018 European Challenge Tour. The overall winner at the Kenya Open will walk away with approximately Sh10 million in prize money.

 Safaricom yesterday added Sh10.5 million towards the tournament. As the official telecommunications sponsor, Safaricom will provide a fully kitted media centre and wireless connectivity for the tournament organisers.

MULTICHOICE BACKING

“We have been proud supporters of the Kenya Open for the last four years which is in line with our desire to support events that raise Kenya’s profile as a choice destination for golf professionals and enthusiasts, as well as create broader appeal for the sport locally”, said Steve Okeyo the director, regional sales and operations at Safaricom.

Also in the list of sponsors is MultiChoice Kenya who yesterday announced a Sh500,000 sponsorship.

MultiChoice Kenya corporate affairs manager Philip Wahome said: “Supporting sports in Kenya is just one way in which MultiChoice strives to use its influence and resources to play a positive role in the country and help to grow our local talent and sports.”