Local players have reason to smile as Kenya Open tees off today

Director General Kenya Vision 2030 Ken Mwige and Golf Park's CJ Wangai during the unveiling of part of Kenyan players sponsored for the Magical Kenya Open ahead of the event at Muthaiga Golf Club on February 2, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenyan players now have a reason to smile following a financial boost from Kenya Vision 2030.

Vision 2030 is an organisation that aims to transform the country into a newly industrialised, middle-income nation.

The players were on Tuesday evening awarded Sh200,000 each for qualifying for the 2022 Kenya Open from the recently concluded Safari Tour series.

The money is being used to cater for their logistics in the tournament including paying for their participation and caddy fees, kits, accommodation among other expenses.

They were also promised Sh1 million to be shared by Kenyan and African players who make the cut at the Open.

Another Sh1 million will be divided by top three ranked Kenyan players and top three ranked African players at the end of the tournament.

Local golfers benefiting from the initiative are Kenyan legend Jacob Okello, Erick Ooko (Golf Park), Dismas Indiza Mumias) Jastas Madoya (Great Rift Valley Lodge), Samuel Njoroge (Railways) CJ Wangai (Golf Park), John Lejirma (Railways) Dennis Maara (Limuru) and Adel Balala (Nyali). Ronald Rugumayo (Uganda), Paul Chidale (Malawi) and Robson Chinhoi (Zimbabwe) are other African players in the mix.

The benefits excludes local golfers under the Absa Bank Kenya stable who also have a similar arrangement with the financial institution.

They are South African based Daniel Nduva, Thika Greens Simon Ngige, David Wakhu of Golf Park and Mohit Mediratta of Sigona.

“We are out to demistify the game of golf in Kenya.

“This support is meant to help the golfers realise their value in sports.

“We challenge other corporates to come on board to help the players achieve their career dreams,” Kenya Vision 2030 Director General Kenneth Mwige said.

Mwige said organisations supporting golfers in the event will not only be promoting sports tourism but will have their brands viewed by over 500 million people across the world.

Last season, Njoroge and Wakhu were awarded Sh600,000 each by Kenya Vision 2030 for making the cut in the Kenya Open and Kenya Savannah Classic.

The two will be hoping for another good outing.