OLYMPIAN OUT OF DEEP END: Kenya's swimmer Bayusuf discharged, 2017 Tour of Qatar cancelled

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Kenya’s Olympian swimmer Hamdan Bayusuf who has been bed-ridden in a coma in South Africa for 17 days is out of danger after he was discharged from hospital.

Hamdan was injured during an attack after thugs invaded their family home in Nyali Estate, Mombasa County. He had gone out of his house to rescue a security guard under attack before the armed gangsters brutally injured him.

He was airlifted to South Africa for specialised treatment, where he has been under close monitoring of dozens of doctors.

Hamdan took part in the Rio Olympics where he posted good results on his maiden appearance in the Games.

During the Rio Olympic games, Hamdan who is also the captain of Bandari Swim Club, swum in the men’s 100 metre backstroke event where he clocked a time of 1:00.28 in the heats but did not qualify for the semifinals.

Hamdan’s coach and former international swimmer Mansoor Fakry confirmed the return of the swimmer.
“Doctors have advised Hamdan to remain on bed rest until he fully recovers. He has also been advised not to talk too much as he had undergone a surgery on his cheek bone,” said Fakry.

“As a swimming fraternity, we are happy to have Hamdan back home to recuperate fully under the watch of his family,” added Fakry.

Meanwhile, the 2017 Tour of Qatar has been cancelled due to the lack of a financial sponsor, cycling’s ruling body announced.

The stage race, due to take place in Doha in February, was called off because of “difficulty attracting sponsor financial support,” the International Cycling Union (UCI) said in a statement late on Wednesday.

The announcement is a blow to the sporting ambitions of Qatar which has hosted the race for 15 years.

The Gulf state is planning for the 2022 soccer World Cup and has hosted the Asian soccer cup, the Men’s Handball World Championship and the FINA World Swimming Championships.

Previous editions of Tour of Qatar have been won by top cyclists including Britain’s Mark Cavendish and Belgium’s Tom Boonen.