Vet Lab’s Robinson Owiti in action at a past tournament.

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

From left to right: Ezekiel Owuor, the Pan Africa Life GM of individual life business, Tom Gitogo, Pan Africa Life CEO (centre) and KGU Chairman Alfred Kariuki during the unveiling of the Pan Africa Life Golf challenge at Muthaiga Golf Club today.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

PAN AFRICA LIFE has launched a six part golf series in Kenya. The events, dubbed the PAN AFRICA LIFE GOLF CHALLENGE will tee off this weekend at the Nanyuki Sports Club where golfers from Nyeri, Meru and Nanyuki will participate.

Speaking at the launch, PAN AFRICA LIFE CEO, Tom Gitogo, said the events were part of their strategy to reach out to their clients. “Our firm has branches in various parts of Kenya and we are using golf as a vehicle to go out there and interact with our current clients and our partners,” he said. “The golf events also give our Financial Advisors an opportunity and platform to meet their clients in the various localities”.

From Nanyuki, the Challenge will move to the Eldoret Golf Club on the 11^th of May, Nakuru Golf Club will host the PAN AFRICA LIFE on the 8^th of June and East to the Nyali Golf and Country Club on the 13^th of July 2013. “As the Counties come to life, we are changing our go-to-market strategy slightly and aligning it with these new governance structures,” Gitogo added. “Mombasa and Kisumu Counties are likely to bloosom and we project that demand for our services will increase.” Nyanza Club in Kisumu will be the venue on the 31^st of August. The grand finale will be held on the 27^th of September at the Muthaiga Golf Club. “We have traditionally held a corporate golf day in Nairobi and this Finale will serve both as the culmination of our Challenge and as our corporate golf day.”

The overall winner of the PAN AFRICA LIFE golf challenge will win an all expenses paid trip to participate in the 2013 SANLAM CANCER CHALLENGE that will be held at the Sun City Golf Resort from the 21^st to the 22nd of October 2013.

“PAN AFRICA LIFE is a subsidiary of Sanlam. The Sanlam Cancer Challenge has raised more than Shs 26m for cancer research since its inception in 1993.” Gitogo added. “Hopefully this trip will give Kenyan golfers adequate motivation to play great golf and improve their skills.” maillot de foot maillot de foot