By DONALD WELLINGTON

This year’s Windsor Classic champion Robinson Owiti is protesting being left out of the national team for the Africa Zone VI Golf Championship slated for Windhoek, Namibia between April 22 and 25, despite being third in the Golfer Of The Year standings.

Owiti is surprisingly missing in the provisional team released by Kenya Golf Union (KGU) on Friday to represent the country at the continental event, despite the fact that he is currently considered as one of the best amateurs in the country, going by his recent form.

Players named for the continental duty include Limuru’s John Karichu who currently leads the Goty standings, Vet Lab’s Mathew Omondi who is placed fifth in the standings, Kericho’s William Odera who is currently sixth, Golf Park’s Tom Omuli who is second, Nelson Simwa who is placed  18^th, Great Rift’s duo of Justus Madoya and Abdullahi Galgao who are placed fourth and sixth respectively and juniors John Mburu and Mohit Mediratta of Nyali and Sigona clubs respectively.

“KGU should come out and explain the criteria they used to pick the team, because for many years, national team players have always been picked according to the Goty standings and I can’t understand why I have been left out of the team and yet I am third in the standings and yet Simwa who is 18^th has been picked,” said Owiti.

He added: “At the moment I am ranked better than even Madoya, Omondi, Galgao and Odera. All of whom have been named in the team.”

Owiti said he wanted fairness and urged KGU to exercise transparency in order to help the development of the sport which will soon be an Olympic sport.

“This is pure impunity and favoritism and it is not in any way good for the sport. We should use the right channels. I contacted KGU chairman Alfred Kariuki who said he knew nothing about the team selection and referred me to his deputy Francis Okwara. Okwara told me that he would look into the matter and get back to me, but I have not got a word from him and he is not even picking his calls now,” Owiti said.
He added: “I am protesting for the sake of other amateur golfers who could go through the same treatment in future and I hope this stops. It is very unfair because I sponsor myself at the Goty events so that I can make it to the national team then turn professional, then some individuals deny me my right.” airmaxofficiel airmaxofficiel

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