Kenya’s celebrated sevens rugby player Collins Injera has announced his retirement from the game.
In a post on social media, Injera stated that he had to listen to his body after months of deliberation.
He said, “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 few months, it has really ‘spoken’ to me so, finally, I have decided to listen to it.”
Injera, who is the world’s second-top try scorer in 7s with 279, thanked his wife and children for the support and understanding that they have accorded him since he started playing.
He said, “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.”
Injera also thanked all those who accorded him support throughout his career, reserving a special mention for his fans, media, and sponsors.
He said, “To the fans, media and sponsors, thank you all for the support throughout my career. I hope I made you all proud.”
Injera now moves to Avanti Communications, a UK-based satellite operator, where he will take up a role to support its operations in East Africa.
He said, “I am now looking forward to the next chapter of my life, and I am excited to be joining Avanti Communications in a new role that will support their operations in East Africa.”
Injera’s announcement comes days after he called for the State to recognise athletes in a more special way.
Speaking during the Sports Personality of the Year Awards at the Kenyatta International Convention Center, the 36-year-old believes athletes who have placed the country on a global map deserve better than just awards.
He said, “We should not wait until such awards as Soya to recognize great sportsmen and women. There are better and many ways to crown our heroes.”
According to the World Rugby, Injera has played 424 matches and scored 1,443 points and 279 tries in the Rugby Seven Series.
