Collins Injera, one of Kenya’s top rugby players, has announced he is retiring from the game.
“Everything must come to an end, sometime. I have always said that I will know it’s time because my body will tell me, “he said.
“And for the past few months, it has really ‘spoken’ to me so, finally, I have decided to listen to it. I hope I made you all proud.”
“It’s time to sleep away from this great game that has given me so much more than I could ever ask for,” he said.
“Thank you, Lord, for giving me the strength, opportunities and protection to be able to play the game I love for this long.”
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 and asked the government to recognize players more.
“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,” Injera said.
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“Our streets and facilities can also be named after great players. Things like this will go down in history and will also motivate junior athletes to chart their path to stardom.”
Collins also thanked his family for their support, adding that it was now family time.
“Thank you very much for all the love and support and understanding. Those days, weeks and sometimes months that you endured without my presence as I was busy chasing my dream across the globe are finally over,”
“It’s now time to spend quality time with you.” he said.
Collins, who played for Kenya Rugby sevens, is bowing out as the world’s second-top try scorer in 7s with 279.