By BS Mulavi
The rugby fraternity bid farewell to former national sevens player Joshua Gathumbi in a funeral service at the Holy Family Basilica Wednesday.
But Kenya Rugby Union took the occasion to announce a mandatory medical test for all national team players.
Speaking at the RFUEA grounds, KRU Secretary Frank Sabwa said he was saddened by the sudden loss of the Impala winger and he wanted to make sure the Union can do everything possible to make sure their players are safe.
Joshua Gathumbi (with ball) in a Kenya Cup match.
"Rugby being a contact sport, we have to be careful. Gathumbi succumbed to cardiac arrest, but we are not sure what might have caused it, whether it was rugby or any other," said Sabwa.
"We must be careful. That is why we have put in place insurance for players in the Bamburi Super Series so that if any comes to discomfort he would be attended to," he added.
"We are now going a notch higher by introducing mandatory medical tests for all National team players, where a player can know his condition," Sabwa said.
"It is from these tests that we can also initiate checks into legal supplements and products used by players, so we can also advice players on which ones they can take without risking their health."
Sabwa explained that they have been working closely with Gathumbi's family on funeral arrangements.
"We have provided a bus that will ferry mourners to his Kilome home for the funeral. This is on top of the contributions that his parent club Impala has raised for him," he said.
Source: The Standard | Online Edition
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