Leading financial services provider Barclays Bank of Kenya has extended its sponsorship for the Barclays Kenya Open to run until the year 2015.
Managing Director for East and West Africa, Adan Mohamed said they decided to extend the sponsorship that was initially supposed to run up to 2013, so that the bank can make a meaningful contribution to the development of golf in Kenya.
The two year extension will see the total sponsorship kitty by the bank shoot up from 44 million to 80 million, with additional opportunities in the sponsorship of golf clinics and other activities at hand.
“Barclays has over the years demonstrated its commitment towards sports and we appreciate this opportunity to sponsor this premier golfing event in Kenya as an opportunity to further illustrate this commitment”, said Mr. Mohamed.
The tournament will be played at the Muthaiga Golf Club starting March 29th, 2012, with a host of professional players from Africa and the rest of the world expected to attend.
Mr. Mohamed added that they will retain some of the activities that characterize the Barclays Kenya Open, including the longest drive competition; which features players from leading clubs Pro Am and the premier family event on Sunday.
He explained, “I have been working on my drive over the past year, and I am confident that I will give the players from other clubs a run for their money during the Friday event activity”.
Mr. Mohamed said that the bank received recognition from the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) in 2011, for the Best Sponsorship campaign.
Speaking during the launch event, the Chairman of the Kenya Open Golf Ltd, Peter Kanyago announced that plans to host a world-class Barclays Kenya Open event this year are at an advanced stage. “The course at Muthaiga Gold Club is in tip-top condition and we are hard at work ensuring that all the logistics are put in place as we draw nearer to the tee-off”.
Mr. Kanyago added that they are anticipating a good turnout of players (156 in total), and a similar surge in the number of those who will attend. He explained, “The profile of golf has continued to rise in Kenya, and there are now more players and enthusiasts who are keen to see how some of the best players in the world do it.”
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