Humphrey Kayange inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame
Kenya sevens rugby legend Collins Injera (left) receives his tournament jersey from his brother and former international Humphrey Kayange at the Olympic Villaye on July 25, 2021.
What you need to know:
- The National Olympic Committee of Kenya's (NOC-K) Athletes Representative has been included in the Class of 2021 which also has Fijian Osea Kolinisau, Huriana Manuel-Carpenter and Cheryl McAfee (New Zealand), Will Carling (England) and Jim Telfer (Scotland).
- World Rugby introduced its first inductees in 2006. Since then, national teams, rugby greats and supporters have been inducted.
The rugby fraternity in Kenya has reacted with delight to the news of retired legend Humphrey Kayange becoming the first Kenyan to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame Wednesday.
Kenya Sevens and Simbas star Dan Sikuta hailed his former teammate at Mwamba RFC for six years.
They were in the Kenya Sevens team that won the World Rugby Sevens Singapore Sevens leg in 2016. They were also part of the Mwamba squad that won the National Sevens Circuit in 2011 and the Enterprise Cup in 2013.
“Kayange deserves this latest milestone because he worked hard for it. Being inducted in the World Rugby Hall of Fame is the best reward for hard work. He was consistent as a player,” Sikuta told Nation Sport.
Kayange was inducted alongside Fijian Osea Kolinisau, Kiwis Huriana Manuel-Carpenter and Cheryl McAfee, England’s Will Carling and Scotland’s Jim Telfer.
Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Oduor Gangla congratulated Kayange, 39, who retired after the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“There couldn’t be a more impactful player to receive this award, he cements his place in the annals of history as one of the greats of the game,” said Gangla.
He said Kayange has demonstrated great leadership capability by championing player welfare in the National Olympic Committee of Kenya and the International Olympic Committee.
“We are proud of his top class achievements which underpin the class of the rugby man. Well done Humphrey,” said Gangla.
