Former Kenya 7s Rugby coach Innocent Simiyu has sent out a message to his supporters a day after he was fired by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
In a message on his Twitter timeline, Simiyu thanked the Kenya Sevens fraternity which has supported the team to finish the 2017/18 series with the highest points ever, 104.
"I wish to take this opportunity to thank God for his blessings. The @KenyaSevens fans all over the world, the Bakolati clan and my family for their continued support. The management and players of @KenyaSevens for their commitment, honesty and efforts on and off the pitch," he stated.
To the team which he led since October 2016, Simiyu wished them all the best in the upcoming seventh edition of the Rugby World Cup Sevens to be held at the AT&T Park in San Francisco, United States.
"It was a great honour to be your coach and wish you all the best in the World Cup. Let's keep the focus and achieve our mission. God bless you all!!! #Brothersforever #teamkenyaforever," he concluded.
[caption caption="Former Kenya Sevens Coach Innocent Simiyu"]
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On Thursday, KRU parted ways with the Head Coach irking thousands of fans who castigated the move.
In a statement on its website, the Union affirmed that Simiyu took responsibility for taping out their sponsors "Make it Kenya" during the Paris leg of the Sevens Series.
"He took full responsibility for the display that saw the playing unit blank out sponsor’s branding in Paris Sevens which negatively impacted our country and sponsor’s image.
"We are fully aware that the Rugby World Cup Sevens is around the corner and are taking the necessary steps to ensure our participation," the Union announced.
The players are said to have resulted to blocking the logo following a delay in payment of their allowances despite several promises.
[caption caption="Innocent Simiyu being welcomed at JKIA after a successful Kenya 7s outing"]
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Earlier in the day, reports indicated that the team had boycotted training sessions at the RFUEA Grounds after Tourism CS Najib Balala cancelled the Sh20 Million sponsorship.
Speaking at a Mombasa Hotel during the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Symposium, a seemingly angered Balala bashed the team maintaining it embarrassed the country with the move.
