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Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba predicted yesterday that the forthcoming twin events of Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship at Muthaiga Golf Club and the Magical Kenya Ladies Open will be a success and a hit this year.

Speaking during the twin launch of the prestigious golfing championships slated for this month in Nairobi and Kilifi counties respectively, Namwamba vowed to see no stone unturned in ensuring that the events catapult the country into a global brand.

He also announced plans to put up hustlers bazaars at both events to enable local artisans showcase their wares as a way of promoting talent in the sprit of bottoms up.

“Our bazaars will ensure that our people earn some money during the events so we will work closely with the organizers to see that there is direct injection of money into the economy,” Namwamba said.

“As government we want to ensure that the two events are a success and very soon we will announce our support kitty.

“These are important tournaments well beyond sporting influence and for us it is about putting our country in the map because last year 500 million house holds watched the Magicak Kenya Open Ladies tournament.

“As Government, we remain fully committed to ensure the two big events give us value and so partnership with the corporate sector on this front will be key going forward working alongside Kenya Open Golf Limited, I know we will be able to unlock the full potential of our product,” stated Namwamba during a media briefing at the Muthaiga Golf Club which will for the fourth successive year play host to the four day event that will see 156 players from across the world take par between February 22-25,2024.

So far a field of 120 players have confirmed participating at this year’s edition of the ladies event in Vipingo with five local lady golfers qualifying to take part in the event that will run between February 8 and 11.

“I want to announce that the countdown officially begins today and we are looking forward to watch top quality golf as we walk with girraffes, zebras and other grazers at Vipingo,” Ababu said

This year’s prize money on offer for the DP World Tour-Magical Kenya Open will be in the region of 2 million Euros ( Sh 347,922,500) while the LET-Magical Kenya Ladies Open will be 300,000 Euros ( Sh 52,215,073)at the Park 73 Vipingo Course.

Kenya will be represented by eight professionals and six amateur players at the Magical Kenya Open event.