Kenya Rugby Union has called on the Government to reduce the cost for COVID-19 tests which is a requirement ahead of the Sports resumption.
On Monday, the Ministry of Sports released guidelines for the resumption with health tests, physical conditioning, psycho-social training being the first step for high-risk sports like rugby.
KRU chairman Oduor Gangla told Nation Sport that sportspeople will not be able to pay bills for private tests, which are supposed to be done twice a month.
“We have not quantified the cost implications so far. But, testing is certainly very expensive and we would hope that the government can reduce the cost of tests. Athletes should get a deal similar to what was offered to the hospitality industry. One test at Sh8,000 to Sh10,000 is out of reach of most Kenyans,” Gangla told the Nation Sport.
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If the charges are around 8,000 for a single person, this means to test around 50 members twice a month will cost the clubs around Kshs. 800,000 and top tier clubs have large squads that might spill to over 100 players for 15s. The cost will be too expensive for the local clubs to handle.
Gangla told the paper that they will hear from the local clubs before a formal position on the return of play is given.
“Thereafter, we will determine what happens to the leagues.”
Kenya Cup was suspended in March as it was scheduled for the knockout stage. Kabras and KCB were in the semis while Oilers vs Homeboyz, Impala vs Mwamba were scheduled to meet in the playoffs.
KRU and other Federations have seven days to give their take on the return to action before a definite date is set.
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