NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS BOYCOTT QUALIFYING EVENT, URGE KGU TO USE GOTY RANKINGS IN PICKING SIDE
Uganda top amateur Ronald Otile who is expected to lead the Ugandans against Kenya during the Victoria Cup next month.
By FIDEL ONO
Kenya Golf Union (KGU) administrators are facing a revolt from top amateur players on the mode of selecting the national team.
The top players, currently occupying the top 15 positions in the Golfer Of The Year (GOTY) competition on Tuesday boycotted a qualifying event at the Muthaiga Golf Club meant to pick a team to represent the country at the prestigious Victoria Cup where Kenya will rub shoulders with arch rivals Uganda at the same venue between June 2 and 5.
The players are further furious with the union boss Anthony Muhoro over an article that appeared on a local daily on April 29, where he accused the national team players for performing poorly at international events because they were playing for allowances and not the country.
“We have always been against these qualifying events as criteria for picking the national team. Goty would be the best, or if the union officials don’t recognize the the Goty series then they should scrap it out because the qualifiers have rendered it meaningless,” said a top player who sought anonymity over fears of victimization.
He added: “We had also just come from playing a Goty event at Thika Sports Club, the Winstone Churchill and before we even rest we are told of a qualifying event immediately. Allowances has also been an issue and it must not be linked with loyalty to the country. If we are entitled to allowances, where does the money go to?”
With the boycott of the cream of amateur golf players, the union may be left with a feeble side to face a daring Uganda in the regional competition.
KGU chairman Muhoro could not be reached for comments. cheap air max 97 cheap air max 97