COMMONWEALTH Games silver medallist Mark McMahon has described the selection of Ken Wallis as Hong Kong's representative for this year's singles event, as a ''joke'' and a ''farce''.
The Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association announced their seven-strong men's team for the August Games in Victoria, British Columbia, on Monday - and gave the prestige position to Wallis.
McMahon, who won the silver in the singles in Auckland, New Zealand, four years ago, was overlooked for the singles but entered for the pairs with his father, Bill.
Australia-based McMahon learned of the selection while playing in the World Indoor Championships in Preston, England.
Speaking yesterday from Preston, where he is due to meet Scotland's Graham Robertson in the quarter-finals today, McMahon said Hong Kong had become the laughing stock of world bowls.
''I think it is a joke that Ken Wallis is playing singles,'' said McMahon, who started working in Australia in January.