Tennis star with three-year scholarship left with bleeding heart after US visa denial

Fast-rising Kenyan tennis star Derrick Ominde is on a bended knee appealing to the government to intervene and help him fast track the process of securing a visa to the United States of America.

Ominde, has been twice unlucky in his bid to obtain the mandatory travel document to the United States where he landed a three-year long tennis scholarship at the Missouri Baptist University.

The left-handed player was set to start his Bachelor in Sports Management course at the institution on Monday last week but he is still holed in Nairobi after his quest for the lay hands on the document flopped.

The 19-year old, who represented the country in the Davis Cup held in August in Algeria, revealed that he tried his hand at acquiring the document in January this year but did not succeed. He represented the country alongside Albert Njogu, Kean Shah and Kael Shah.

Okutoyi suffers Round 2 Singles defeat in Canada, stays alive in Doubles

His return to the embassy last week having secured an appointment did not yield fruits leaving him frustrated and at the risk of losing the scholarship valued at 29 000 USD.

The embassy, in July this year said Kenyans seeking to visit the United States will have to wait to June 2024 in a move aimed at creating room for the clearance of the applications that had piled up given the closure witnessed at the height of Covid-19 pandemic.

"I have done my best in as far as applying for the visa is concerned. I have availed all the information and documents required but unfortunately, I have not succeeded. I appeal to the government to chip in and help me secure the visa within the shortest time possible, " he appealed.

Kabucho hoping S.A trip will open doors for professional career

Ominde who was part of the Kenyan team that participated in the Davis Cup held in Egypt last year says losing the scholarship will be certainly a big blow to his dreams of excelling both in court and in academics.

The player who was admitted to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) centre in January 2018 says the scholarship is a life-changing opportunity that will expose him to high quality coaching, facilities and competition that will ultimately, better his game.

Ominde, an EdOption Academy, USA high school graduate was placed 389 at the global level last year, his last at the junior level. He is yet to be ranked at the senior level.

Bitok backs youngsters to shine after Brazil camp

The ITF centre that housed scores of talented players from the country and the region was closed in 2020 following the advent of coronavirus.

" This is an opportunity I wouldn't wish to see it slip through my hands helplessly. I plead with the Kenyan government to take up my issue and help me get the document. The University is offering a lot that will change my life for the good," he said.

Meanwhile, Derrick's father Jared Ominde is hoping that the government will come to the aid of his son just as was like the case of Commonwealth 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala.

The African champion over the distance nearly missed the World Athletics Championships held in Oregon last month due a visa hitch but secured the permit just hours to the start of his specialty.

"Derrick comes from a humble background and moving to the United States to study and play tennis will have a positive impact on his life. We have tried our best to convince the embassy to grant him the visa to no success. My prayer is the government will intervene and save him from missing on the opportunity, " he said.