Golfers experience new technology at 29th Interbank tournament powered by Mastercard
Sponsored by Mastercard
Mastercard Senior Vice-President and East Africa Country Manager Shehryar Ali during the September 20, 2024 Interbank Golf tournament powered by Mastercard, at Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
By Ayumba Ayodi
Besides bringing in huge financial support that has never been seen before at the Interbank Golf Tournament, title sponsors Mastercard spiced up the event with an innovation hub at the Nairobi Royal Golf on September 20, 2024.
Mastercard brought in artificial intelligence-driven equipment that helped players and fans at the tournament improve their swing and putting.
“We not only want to improve the financial status of our banks, but also sports through technology, and especially golf. That is why we brought in these new assets,” Shehyar Ali, Mastercard’s Senior Vice-President and County Manager for East Africa, said.
“A good player has a good technique, skills-set and strategy, besides being a team player. That is what such tournaments bring together, hence our decision to partner with Interbank Golf tournament organisers,” said Ali.
Ali noted that the most heart-warming news for participants was that golf is a global sport that draws close to 450 million viewers throughout the year.
“One Professional Golfers' Association – PGA Tour event – gets a viewership of 6-7 million people,” Ali observed, adding that it’s through these numbers that the global technology company wants to bring experience and experiential marketing to the world.
“Gone are the days when people used to take pleasure out of things. Nowadays, they want to experience through travelling and sports,” explained Ali, who was flanked by acting Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) Chief Executive Officer, Raimond Molenje, and Interbank Golf Tournament convener Sylvester Odhiambo.
Ali said that their customers across the world fetch 30 percent discount in golf clubs where they are partners. Five of them are based in Kenya, for instance at Windsor, in Mombasa and Thika, and at newest, which is Royal Nairobi Club.
“This is a celebration of our banking success, technology and sports altogether,” said Ali.
The one-day tournament attracted a record 289 golfers.
Molenje said that plans were afoot for Kenya to stage the inaugural East Africa Interbank Games at the end of November in Uganda as the two countries seek collaboration in sports and banking.
“This is the 39th edition of the games, and it’s high time we spread our wings across the region and developed camaraderie across the borders,” said Molenje.
Odhiambo anticipated a competitive event, with Central Bank seeking to defend its title against last year’s runners-up NCBA Bank of Kenya, and the 2022 champions, Stanbic Bank, who claimed bronze medal last year.
Sylvester Odhiambo of Stanbic Bank tees off during the September 20, 2024 Interbank Golf tournament powered by Mastercard, at Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
“We are here to play, compete, network, share ideas and get to know each other well, given that we are all from the banking industry,” said Odhiambo, explaining that the interaction of key decision makers goes a long way in getting feedback on areas that need improvement in the banking sector as well as sports.
Ali displayed a payment wearable that enables users to make contactless payment up to a maximum of Ksh4,500.
“It has a chip that can be activated, but can only dispense a maximum of Ksh4,500. I can give it to someone to use at a supermarket. I have already used it,” said Ali, disclosing that one of the local banks has embraced the new technology.
Ali said that the world was changing and heading fast towards technology as the young seek to do things fast and effectively.
“The payment wearable is the way to go. Soon, we shall have wristband out, but our key concern will be to use technology that is secure to our customers,” said Ali.
