By Eddah Waithaka
Absa Bank Kenya PLC has today announced a KES60 million investment in the 2025 Magical Kenya Open (MKO), cementing its position as the largest private sector sponsor of the prestigious golf tournament for 14 years.
The 56th edition of the Magical Kenya Open, presented by Absa, will tee off from February 20th to 23rd at the lush green Muthaiga Golf Course.
The bank reaffirms its commitment to growing the sport and supporting Kenya’s position as a leading golf destination. As part of the sponsorship, Absa has allocated KES 40 million to support the local organising committee through Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL). This investment aims to ensure the successful execution of the tournament, while the remaining amount will enhance promotional efforts and create exclusive experiences for fans and stakeholders, ultimately delivering a world-class event.
Speaking during the announcement ceremony, Absa Bank Kenya PLC’s Managing Director & CEO, Abdi Mohamed, highlighted the bank’s enduring commitment to nurturing sports in the country. He emphasized the significant role sports plays in society, particularly in empowering individuals and communities to realize their ambitions.
“At Absa, our purpose is to empower Africa’s tomorrow together…one story at a time. Through our sponsorships, we showcase the undeniable socio-economic impact of sports. These initiatives boost tourism, create jobs, and invigorate local economies, illustrating our commitment to sustainable growth and community empowerment.” He added: “Beyond the swing, the influx of attendees from around the world bolsters our hospitality and transport sectors, benefiting small businesses and local communities. This ripple effect directly enhances our economy. Moreover, the Magical Kenya Open showcases Kenya’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience, proving it’s always more than just golf; it’s about the stories that matter, because to us, every story matters.”
The Magical Kenya Open is a premier event in sub-Saharan Africa, part of the DP World Tour, and has significantly contributed to establishing Kenya as a global destination for golfing and sports tourism. This year’s tournament will host 144 elite golfers worldwide, including eight professional and two amateur golfers representing Kenya.
They will compete over four exciting rounds for a share of the remarkable KES322.5 million (USD 2.5 million) prize purse. The Kenyan professionals participating include Njoroge Kibugu, Greg Snow, David Wakhu, Samuel Njoroge, Dismas Indiza, Mohit Mediratta, Riz Charania, and Edwin Mudanyi.
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On his part, the Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Eng. Peter Tum said: “As a government, we remain committed to creating an enabling environment for sports organisations to thrive in our country. Our commitment stems from the belief that sports not only unite us as a nation but also empower our youth to pursue their sporting talent. It is for this reason that the government has once again agreed to invest heavily financially in making sure that Kenya hosts the Magical Kenya Open 2025.”
Speaking at the same event, the Kenya Open Golf Limited chairman Peter Kanyago highlighted the tremendous growth of the golfing sport in Kenya over the years, thank to the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors. He said, “We take pride in the results of our ongoing partnership with private sector players like Absa, which has transformed this tournament from an elitist event into a more inclusive family and lifestyle experience.”
The MKO tournament has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the most important sporting events in Sub-Saharan Africa. It puts Kenya on the global map through international broadcasts that reach over 500 million people worldwide. It also serves a patriotic duty of promoting Kenya as a global golfing and sports tourism destination.
Beyond golf, the bank also contributes to athletics through the Absa Kip Keino Classic and the Sirikwa Classic championship. In football, the Absa brand has proudly served as the official banking partner for the Premier League in Africa for over a decade.
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