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Organisers announced Tuesday that 144 pro golfers had signed up for the 2024 Kenya Open, the PGA European Tour event currently titled as the Magical Kenya Open.

The total tournament prize purse is 2.5 million US dollars and will feature 10 players with disabilities, bringing golf for the disabled for first time ever in Africa.

This year’s competition, which will be held in Muthaiga for the third straight time, will mark the fifth staging of a full European Tour event in Kenya since it was added to the elite series in 2019.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of Sports Ababu Namwamba said the Government would continue to invest in the Open and was committed to creating an enabling environment for sports.

“We are working on policies that encourage private-sector partnerships. These collaborations are instrumental in providing the necessary resources to organize world-class events and support our sportsmen and women in their pursuit for excellence,” he said.

Absa Bank Kenya said at the event it was investing 480,000 US dollars for the Tour; becoming the tournament’s official presenting partner.

“As a brand, we have a long-standing sponsorship of golf in this country, which has promoted Kenya as both a sporting and a tourism destination while illuminating the remarkable stories of determination and resilience within our nation.

“This tournament has proven itself as a platform that showcases Kenya to the world, as a vibrant tapestry of culture, talent, and opportunity,” Absa Kenya’s Managing Director, Abdi Mohamed said.

The Kenya Open, which was first held in 1967, has grown to become one of Sub-Sahara’s most prestigious sporting events.