(SATSports) – Kenya Sevens legend Humphrey Kayange is among six rugby stars inducted into the World Rugby Hall of fame.
The 39-year-old former sevens team captain, inducted no. 150, became a history maker with his Shujaa teammates when they lifted their first ever Rugby Sevens Cup Final victory in Singapore in 2016.
Kayange also played in Rio but he and RWC Sevens 2009 winning captain Cheryl McAfee were members of the World Rugby bid team that convinced the International Olympic Committee members to elect rugby sevens to the Olympic program in October 2009.
This year, Kayange was elected to the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission and as an IOC Member, furthering rugby’s voice within the Olympic movement.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated Kayange on his induction, saying the feat was a global honour of the star’s contribution to the rise of rugby in Kenya and challenged upcoming players to emulate his exploits.
Other legends set to be indicted to the World Rugby Hall of fame are former Fiji sevens captain Osea Kolinisau, Huriana Manuel-Carpenter (New Zealand), Cheryl McAfee (Australia), Will Carling (England) and Jim Telfer (Scotland).
The six inductees will bring the number in the Hall of Fame to 154 since inception in 2006.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to congratulate our six Hall of Fame inductees, who did not just make their mark on the field of play, but who has played a significant role in advancing the sport,” World Rugby Chairman and Hall of Fame inductee No.94 Sir Bill Beaumont said.
“In this Olympic year, we are recognizing those who have all played a significant role in cementing rugby as an Olympic sport. Their contributions should not be underestimated in terms of the global growth of rugby. We are also acknowledging the contributions of those who have left their mark on the oldest international fixture in the game,” he added.
