NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 24 – Kenya’s celebrated sevens rugby player Collins Injera has announced retirement from the game after a 17-year stint, bowing out as the world’s second top try scorer in 7s with 279.
Injera, 36, made the announcement on his official instagram page, calling it quit after a great career that saw him win a Cup title medal during the 2016 Singapore leg, named the 2009 Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) Sportsman of the Year and lately inducted in the walk of fame by Fiji and hall of fame by SOYA.
“Everything must come to an end, sometime. I have always said that i will know it’s time, because my body will tell me. And for the past months it has really ‘spoken’ to me so, finally j have decoded to listen to it,” Injera, who comes from a rugby family wrote.
“As hard as this is for me, after 17 years of literal blood, sweat and tears, it’s time to step away from this great game that has given me so much more than I could ask for. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the strength, opportunities, and protection to be able to play the game I really love for this long,” Injera added.
“To my wife Chebet and my kids; Chloe, Clyde, and Carl, thank you very much for all the love, support and understanding you have given me all these years. Those days, weeks, and sometimes months that you have endured without my presence as I was busy chasing my dream across the globe are finally over.”
“It’s now time for me to spend much needed quality time with you. Thank you, mum, dad and Linda, for all the prayers, advice, and support. My brothers, Tall and Mike, we did it! We managed to play together both locally and internationally,” the Mwamba rugby player said.
“To all my teammates, coaches, management and opponents, thank you all for the memories we have created both on and off the field.”
“We have shared some very high and low moments together. Thank you for being part of my journey and helping me achieve my dreams.”
“For my next chapter I will continue with my humanitarian work and will be joining global satellite business (and UN Sustainable Development Goals Quality Education Partner), Avanti Communications, in an exciting new role to support its East African operations.”
“To the fans, media and sponsors, thank you all for the support throughout my career. I hope I made you all proud. #279Out #C11.”
Injera, who is the most capped player in Kenya (79) has featured in three Commonwealth Games (2010 in Delhi, India, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland and 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.
He has also played in two Olympic Games at the 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and 2020 Tokyo, Japan.
-INJERA’s PROFILE-
Date of Birth – 18 October 1986 (age 36)
| Place of birth | Nairobi, Kenya |
|---|---|
| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 96 kg (15 st 2 lb; 212 lb) |
| School | Vihiga High School |
| University | Daystar University |
| Notable relative(s) | Humphrey Kayange, Michael Agevi |
