They’re a favourite with the fans, but Kenya’s participation in next month’s Rugby Sevens World Cup in San Francisco is under threat.

This comes after the country’s Ministry of Tourism cancelled its $200,000 (£150,000) sponsorship of the team, blaming the decision on the non-payment of players.

The ministry says the Kenya Rugby Union has breached their partnership by not paying players an agreed upon allowance.

Their decision led to an on-field protest which saw players cover up the sponsor’s "Make It Kenya" catch phrase on their game jerseys during a recent tournament in France.

In retaliation, the ministry says it will cut all its funding to the Kenya Rugby Union as the team had “embarrassed the country”.

The union, which had previously expressed dismay at a lack of funds needed to take the team to the World Cup, says the sponsorship money was received late and they communicated the delay to the players.