Injera's secondary school principal: Injera's parents didn't want him play rugby at school

Rugby homecoming Chavakali High School principal Kahi Indimuli. He was Shujaa's Collins Injera high school principal and saw him grow over the years. [PHOTO: ERIC LUNGAI/STANDARD]

Collins Injera will be remembered for being key in the country's national rugby sevens team success in Singapore.

Injera's rise to the top was not easy, as his parents did not want him to concentrate much on rugby while in secondary school; something they said would derail his academic performance.

Injera's secondary school principal Kahi Indimuli says it was hard convincing his parents that allowing him play would not hurt his studies.

"At one point while we were having the provincial competitions in Mumias, Injera's father called in school and he was very furious with the administration for allowing him to go out often with the team and play," says Indimuli, the principal of Chavakali High School.

He adds, "He wanted to go to Mumias and bring back Injera to school but we managed to talk to him to allow him finish the tournament."

He notes that it was be difficult dropping Injera from the school team as he was so pivotal and even acted as the coach whenever it was possible.

"Seeing him devour the Fiji 7s team was something that cannot be forgotten just that easily," he says. 

Kenyan rugby sevens star Collins Injera in action against China during their Hong Kong Sevens tournament in Hong Kong, 2012 DENNIS OKEYO

He says Injera was focused and understood that if he was to succeed in life he needed education much as he needed lots of playing time for rugby.

"His passion for the game was just untameable. I have coached many players in my career, and few have the enthusiasm with which Injera had for ruby 7s," he says.

He notes that he is happy, Injera's parents finally understood and allowed him to play and he didn't disappoint in his studies.

The Kenya Secondary schools' heads association national vice chairman, who is also current Chavakali High School principal, says in the national side that played at Singapore final over the weekend, he is proud to have met Oscar Ayodi and Injera at a tender age.

"The two started playing ruby for Vihiga High School while in Form One. And we can see the potential they had and how far it has taken them many years later," he says.

Indimuli says he is particularly proud of Injera's achievements in rugby, having seen him grow to an extent of having been feted the Order of Grand Warrior of Kenya in 2010.

"Injera has always been humble. Even in school when he was among our best rugby 7s players, he was just humble to the core. He would listen to the advice given and his team mates depended on his advice when they felt they needed it most," Indimuli says.

In the London finale of 2014/2015 World Series, Injera hit the 200th international sevens try, and he is on course to beat Argentina's and all time scorer Santiago Gomez Cora who has 230 tries, after scoring twice at the Singapore final to move to 225.

The two tries made by Injera were his 224th and 225th career tries, leaving him just five short of Cora's record, and six from beating it.

Indimuli says he still wants to see the best come out of Injera in the coming years even as he aims at beating Cora's world record.

Mr Indimuli observes that parents should allow their children to participate in sports while in school because some students perform better when allowed to play too.

He says he is glad because when history is written, he will be part of people who will be recognised for having nurtured Injera's talent at a young age.