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NAIROBI, (Xinhua) --
Veteran Kenya Sevens rugby player Humphrey
Kayange has called time on his international rugby career.
Tenacious injuries,
old age and a tough competition for places in the national team
have forced the 35-year old to hang his boots saying he will not
be able to force his way back to the team soon.
“It has been about
two years now that I have been trying to get back to the field
for Kenya and run out with the brothers one last time. Guess it
wasn’t to be. It is time to say goodbye to my international
career in both sevens and 15s,” said Kayange on Saturday in
Nairobi.
Kayange had become a
trademark figure for Kenya sevens and it will take something
special to fill the void the former skipper has left in the
team.
He has been dominant
in the Red and Green shirt for more than a decade and captained
the team to the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens semifinals in Dubai.
He also featured in
the side that reached the same stage in 2013 in Russia and
played an integral role at the 2016 Rio Olympics as the sport
returned to the games.
“He was the World
Rugby Anti-Doping ambassador besides spearheading rugby’s
journey back to the Olympics. We shall need him to move to the
Kenya Sevens technical bench,” said Kenya Rugby Union (KRU)
chairman Richard Omwela.
Many fans expressed
their gratitude for the man who has helped Kenya Sevens rugby
return to the top and secure core status in the World Series.
Now as he retires to
sunset, he can only look back with happiness of a journey he has
walked. “It is my turn to say goodbye,” he said.
“The last 12 years
have been an unbelievable experience and I have loved every
minute of it. I have been blessed to play the game for more than
a decade and to explore my talent and abilities while injury
free for the better part of it.
“I would like to
thank the people who have been part of the journey. Over 12
years, I have been coached by several guys who’ve made me better
so thank you very much.”
However, Kayange
will not be leaving the sport he loves for good. He hopes to
continue playing a role in coaching or research in his next
chapter.
“I want to get my
level 2 coaching accreditation and my Athletes Commission
responsibilities at the Olympic Committee. I look forward to
many more opportunities where I can give back to the sport that
has given me so much,” he added. |
