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Kenyan professional players have voiced concerns over the level of preparation in readiness for the 55th edition of the Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship slated for Muthaiga Golf Club between February 22 and 25.

Speaking on the sidelines of a sponsorship announcement by ABSA-Kenya yesterday, the local players who have only played six tournaments since the last Magical Kenya Open event, voiced their concerns as to whether it was good enough even though they promised to deliver.

“ It is hard to compete against players who have played between 30-50 events since the last MKO. I feel we might be at a disadvantage since we did much less. However, since we are home, we will give it our all.

The plan is naturally to make the cut and take advantage to practice even amongst ourselves ahead of the Championship,” said Daniel Nduva of Nyali Golf & Country Club with his sentiments supported by Professional Golfers Association of Kenya Chairman CJ Wangai.

They were speaking after ABSA-Kenya announced their support to the tournament to a tune of Sh 55 million at an event that was graced by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and his Principal Secretary Peter Tum.

Namwamba reiterated the government ‘s plan to make the vvent even more bigger with a package of Sh 376 million kitty.

“ We are proud as a Government to be associated with this prestigious tournament. Over the years we have seen great talents emerge from this event and it therefore affirms that we are a great sporting nation. Sports is our number one export as a country so the brand value attached to our athletes cannot be overstated,” he said.

He added: “Last year about 500 million household or two billion viewers tuned in to watch this spectacle over four days and we hope to see even bigger interest which in turn mean more money injected into the economy. Through the Talanta Hela initiative we hope to see growth in the sports sector and as Government we are making all deliberate efforts through policies to ensure we develop and thrive.”
Meanwhile Tournament Director Patrick Obath has confirmed that golf tourism was slowly changing the development agenda of the country with the MKO creating opportunities for work to many Kenyans.

“We have definitely witnessed big impact through what golf has done and this year we hope for better.We have 144 entries and the money that will come into the exchequer will be huge. With Government support to the tune of about two million dollars,this partnership is going to be huge and beneficial to all of us. The DP Tour has also chipped in and this is testament to the value this Championship is offering.It is exciting for us as Organizers and indeed as hosts to witness the best of the best coming to Kenya and showcasing