NAIROBI, Kenya, September 16 – Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch says the Government will refund former national 7s team skipper Humphrey Kayange, funds he used for his ankle surgery in South Africa.
Speaking to Capital Sport on Tuesday, Oluoch said he is waiting for details from the insurance company that is supposed to cover the player before refunding him.
“I have asked for more details from the insurance company that was supposed to cater for him and know the nature before refunding him that’s if he used his money.
“It’s unfortunate if he used his own money. I can’t blame Nock before I know exactly what transpired,” Oluoch declared.
Kayange fractured his ankle during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last month against New Zealand and will not be available for selection until February next year.
The inspirational player will miss the opening three rounds of this season’s IRB World Sevens series.
His absence will be a major blow for Kenya, who are bidding to finish among the top four nations in the new season which gets underway at Gold Coast in Australia in October to qualify for 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where rugby sevens makes its debut.
Kenya has been drawn against familiar foes South Africa, Wales and newcomers American Samoa for the October 11-12 showdown in the Land Down Under.
Speaking after the dra, Avan Lee, IRB’s General Manager for Sevens said: “The 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series promises to be the most exciting season of Sevens to date. With Olympic qualification at stake, all teams will want to start well in the Gold Coast.
“Reigning Series champions New Zealand and Commonwealth Games winners South Africa might start as favourites but a number of teams like Fiji, England, Australia and Canada are also desperate to gain direct qualification into the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Gold Coast Sevens Pools
Pool A: New Zealand, Samoa, France, Japan. Pool B: South Africa, Kenya, Wales, American Samoa Pool C: Fiji, Australia, Scotland, Portugal Pool D: England, Canada, Argentina, USA