Growing up, most children aspire to become doctors, engineers, lawyers, and journalists. However, Mohit Mediratta’s passions lay elsewhere – in sports. With his quick ability to learn rules and new skills, sports came naturally to him.
From a young age, Mediratta enjoyed cricket, which he concentrated on in his early teens. At just 13, he played for Kenya’s Under-15s Cricket Team.
However, his main interest lay in golf, sparked by watching Tiger Woods hit birdies on the course.
Even at that age, he understood the importance of making sacrifices to succeed. Therefore, he juggled schoolwork and cricket while aiming to perfect his golf game. During the holidays, his supportive father would diligently drop Mediratta and his brother off at the golf course every morning, where they would spend hours practising shots and putts before he collected them in the evenings.
At 15, Mediratta found himself at a crossroads when he was presented with two opportunities that would shape his future: the chance to play Under-16 cricket or to captain Kenya at the All-Africa Junior Golf Tour in South Africa. A leader in his own right, he chose South Africa, where he would spend his youth developing his golf career while continuing to represent Kenya at major tournaments.
A nine-to-five job had never appealed to him. As he participated in more tournaments, a career in golf became a real possibility, and Mediratta committed himself entirely to the game. Therefore, when Safaricom approached him with a sponsorship, the golfer was eager to accept. This opportunity allowed him to compete in more prestigious tournaments, such as the Magical Kenya Open and the Professional Golfers of Kenya Equator Tournament (PGK Equator Tour).
The sponsorship enabled him to focus entirely on the game, easing his financial concerns. Mediratta, nonetheless, is keen to acknowledge that Safaricom’s support goes beyond cash. “Golf can get very lonely, but when you’ve got support from an organisation like Safaricom, it gives you a community. You get to be part of a team, and that goes a long way for our mental health.”
Currently a leading contender in the ongoing PGK Equator Tour, Mediratta continues to showcase his skill on the course. By the fifth leg of the tour in Nakuru, he was among the top professional contenders, finishing in overall seventh place, demonstrating solid consistency amid a field of over 40 top competitors. However, during the sixth leg in Diani, Mediratta came down with the flu, which affected his performance. Nevertheless, he pushed on, a testament to his dedication and positive mindset. “Despite the challenges I’ve experienced in this leg, I am still determined to keep going,” he said.
With the gears now shifting to Sigona Golf Club for the seventh round, the golfer is focused on training hard and regaining his momentum to deliver a strong performance. “I’m really excited for the next leg because it’s at my home club. It’s always incredible to play at your club because you know the lay of the land and are familiar with every corner,” he explained.
The PGK Equator Tour, serving as a pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, raises the stakes, with golfers, including Mediratta, eager to secure top positions. “My goal to play at the Olympics in 2028 is still alive, and I always work towards that, regardless of the challenges along the way.”
Mediratta’s love of golf extends well beyond the course. When he is not playing, he sells Callaway, his brand that specialises in golf equipment. During his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and values the gym, which improves his performance on the course. Just as Tiger Woods inspired him, Mediratta hopes his career will motivate aspiring golfers. “For me, Tiger Woods was fundamental in breaking the racial stereotypes that surrounded the sport while I was growing up. If I can inspire little kids everywhere to pick up a golf club, or just pursue anything they set their minds to, then my work will be done,” says Mohit.
Regarding the future of Kenyan golf, Mediratta believes the game is moving in the right direction. He thanks Safaricom for its support and urges other corporates to sponsor golfers on the PGK Tour and in different tournaments. This support provides his teammates and him with the tools they need, both on and off the course, setting them up for sustainable careers. Mediratta believes that this encouragement will lead to more players turning professional and, in turn, raise the standard and popularity of golf in Kenya.
Mohit Mediratta’s journey exemplifies more than just his personal ambition. It symbolises the growth of Kenyan golf, where talent, support, and organised development unite. If he fulfils his Olympic dream, he could become a key figure in Kenyan golf and a testament to what sustained corporate investment can achieve for emerging athletes.
