The Kenya national 15s rugby team, Simbas, has received a Ksh1.8 million donation ahead of their last 2023 World Cup qualifier match slated for Friday, November 18, 2022.
One of their partners, Hemingways Collection, donated the above cash to cover the players' allowances.
The squad members had threatened to boycott training and forfeit their final match if they failed to receive their allowances.
Also Read: Cash-Strapped Kenya Simbas on The Verge of Making History
Despite the development, Kenya Simbas do not have any chance of qualifying for the World Cup, which will be staged in France, since they lost their first two matches at the ongoing tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
They were beaten 68-14 by the United States before being thrashed 85-0 by a flying Portuguese team in the Repechage tournament.
The team was forced to use the Repechage qualification route after being humiliated by Namibia in the final round of African qualifiers four months ago.
The Simbas are scheduled to play their last group match against Hong Kong.
This is not the first time that Kenyan representatives at international championships have been hit by financial challenges.
In 2022 alone, most teams, including Malkia Strikers and the Baseball team, were on the verge of pulling out of the FIVB World Volleyball Championship and Baseball5 World Cup, respectively, due to financial constraints.
Some of the teams were forced to request ordinary Kenyan citizens to donate the little they had to help them honour their fixtures.
Also Read: Kenya Rugby Team Gets Ksh10 Million Deal After Online Harambee