Kenyan rugby captain dies

By James Bakama and
Agencies

Kenya lady rugby captain Aberdeen Shikoyi, who was seriously injured in a match against Uganda nine days ago, has passed away.

According to reports from Kenya, Shikoyi succumbed to a fatal spinal cord injury sustained during the first leg of the Elgon Cup Clash at Kyadondo.

Shikoyi, collided with the burly Christine Kizito before being further injured in a scramble for the ball involving several players. Due to the graveness of the injury, she had to be immediately taken off the field on stretcher and airlifted to Nairobi before the end of the match.

She has been undergoing treatment in Nairobi and underwent surgery at the city's ICU hospital. Unfortunately late Saturday night, a few hours after the return leg, she was pronounced dead.

The Nairobi women's game had earlier had tempers flaring. The referee had to stop play for close to seven minutes as blows shot out especially from the hosts who were apparently angry over their skipper's injury in the Kampala leg.

The return leg played at Impala Club had the Kenyan girls dedicating their 15-3 win to the then hospitalised player's quick recovery. Aberdeen has been a long time member of the national team. She had two Elgon Cup titles.