Kenya Airways has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of sport in Kenya by announcing its partnership with Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) as the Official Airline of the Barclays Kenya Open, which will next week celebrate its 43rd edition.
As the Official Airline, Kenya Airways will fly the European Challenge Tour’s officials to the capital city of Nairobi, and have also offered discounted rates to the 156 international and home-grown players who will tee up at the magnificent Muthaiga Golf Club.
Ms Nita Nagi, Area Manager of Kenya Airways, said that the airline had agreed the sponsorship deal in order to support the €190,000 event, which was won last year by Englishman Robert Dinwiddie and which is key to promoting golf tourism in Kenya.
She said: “Globally, golf tourism earns 26 billion dollars annually and Kenya stands a good chance to get a slice of the pie.
“Last year, we saw the launch of the Kenya Golf Marketing Alliance to develop a golf marketing strategy which will enable the country to organize world-class golf events, and the Barclays Kenya Open falls into that category.”
Mr S.R Ndegwa, Director of KOGL, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kenya Airways as the Official Airline of the 43rd edition of the Barclays Kenya Open. The tournament attracts leading golfers from Europe and across Africa, making it the biggest international golf tournament in the region.
“The success of the Barclays Kenya Open could not be achieved without the support received from companies such as Kenya Airways.”
In addition to its sponsorship of the tournament, Kenya Airways will also arrange for the winners from all the countries which participated in Africa’s KQ Golf Safari series to play in the Barclays Kenya Open Pro-Am, held next Wednesday.
The KQ Golf Safari Series, which has been played in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Senegal, Ethiopia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi, concludes with this Saturday’s Grand Finale, played at Muthaiga Golf Club and featuring 200 players drawn from across Africa.
