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Injera has challenged Kenya to appreciate its sporting heroes better by taking a leaf from his 'eye-opening' experience in Fiji.
Legendary former Kenya Sevens winger Collins Injera has earned what many rugby players growing up want to achieve which is making a name for themselves in the sport by the time they bow out.
After 13 years of pouring his blood, sweat, and tears for the country, a period in which he was able to become the second-highest try-scoring player of all time at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, he finally hung his boots up earlier this year.
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17:56 - 15.07.2023
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None of the Kenyans emerged victorious in both games with their respective teams.
Shortly afterwards, he earned numerous commendations, such as being inducted into the Melrose Sevens Hall of Fame in Scotland and the Rugby Walk of Fame in Fiji.
So when he talks, people listen. Now, the 37-year-old Mwamba assistant coach has revealed why it is important that Kenyan athletes are rewarded for their efforts and contributions to their respective disciplines once they retire as it motivates the up-and-coming generation of athletes to keep the fire burning.
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08:26 - 16.07.2023
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“It feels right when you get recognized for your recognition of the game outside there,” Injera told SemaBox TV, “It would feel even greater when it is Kenya because that is the country you have been representing,” he added.
“You have been singing the national anthem and sweating for the country while holding the Kenyan badge. It is not Fiji or any other country. It however still feels nice when other people recognize you, but it shows us that we have to appreciate our own people more.
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11:50 - 16.07.2023
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“Why are we so blind to see it? It is not even about money because we were not given any money, but it is a very big deal. It is something you will live long in the memory with.
“Even in Kenya, we just want something small. Not just going to the state house, getting your commendation and your million shillings and it is done. There are other ways of doing it, even naming a street, or even naming a bench alongside the highway or in a park named ‘Eliud Kipchoge bench’. A monument, whatever it is.
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18:40 - 11.07.2023
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“It is a way of motivating your athletes because it gives them motivation and makes them work hard. Even the young guys who look up to those who have made it, it makes them want to be there.”
Injera has spoken about how “mind-blowing” it was to particularly get inducted into the Walk of Fame in Fiji, which should challenge Kenya to change how it appreciates its athletes.
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18:17 - 10.07.2023
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Injera has praised the impact of the coaches who made him make a name for himself in world rugby.
“Fiji was such an eye opener. I have heard stories from the Fiji boys while on tour, and I have heard stories about how big we are there. Every time we went on Tour, the new Fiji Boys would be eager to take photos with us and send them back to the village.
“I never understood when they kept saying back to the village, back to the village because for them, it is estates. They know their rugby and people. They have community halls where they watch the games together, eat, and drink as they eat together.
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05:57 - 17.07.2023
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“From the moment I stepped foot on Fiji’s soil. From the moment the pilot announced it, to the immigration area, I think I used the lounge their prime minister use. I was taken straight from the plane door, to the car to the hotel. It was an amazing feeling!”
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