Sixth CIO Golf Championship Kicks Off in Port Harcourt with Historic Kenya Safari Tour Partnership

The sixth edition of the CIO Golf Championship is set to begin at Python Golf Club, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from Thursday, November 13, and will run through Sunday, November 16. Organisers have announced a landmark partnership with Kenya’s Safari Tour, opening new opportunities for participants on the international stage.

Nigeria’s Sunday Olapade enters the tournament as the defending champion.

Ikenna Okafor, CEO of Keeves Global Leasing and sponsor of the event, highlighted the tournament’s growing impact. “We came into golf sponsorship to support, develop, and showcase the vast talent from this region. Each year, we take bold steps toward our vision of making this event a stepping stone for African professional golfers to reach the global stage,” he said.

The partnership with the Kenyan Safari Tour, run by the Kenya Golf Union, will allow players to earn qualifying points for the 2026 Magical Kenyan Open, part of the Challenge Tour, now known as the DP World Tour. “We are committed to showcasing Africa’s immense potential in professional golf at the global level,” Okafor added.

This year, the championship has raised its professional prize purse to a record N75 million. The event has attracted over 100 entries from Nigeria and participants from Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Cameroon, Lebanon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gambia.

The championship schedule began with junior golfers on Sunday, November 9, while caddies will compete on Monday. The tournament will also feature competitions for ladies, veterans, and club amateurs.