Principal: Injera's parents didn't want him to play rugby at school

Collins Injera fame peaked after the key role he played in the country's national rugby sevens team success in Singapore.

Mr Injera's rise to the top has not been easy. 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 Vihiga High 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 and was furious with the administration for allowing his son to go out more often to play," says Indimuli, currently the Chavakali High School principal.

He adds: "The father wanted to go to Mumias and bring Injera back to school but we managed to talk him out of it and to allow the boy to take part in the tournament."

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He says it was 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 that easily," he adds.

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

"His passion for the game was evident. I have coached many players in my career, and few have the kind of passion Injera had for rugby sevens," says Indimuli.

Injera's parents finally understood and allowed him to play, and he never disappointed in his studies.

The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association national vice chairman says he is proud of the national side squad that played in Singapore over the weekend. He added he was also proud to have met Oscar Ayodi at a tender age.

"The two started playing rugby for Vihiga High School while in Form One. We could see the potential they had and how far it could take them," he says.

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

"Injera has always been humble. Even in school, among our best rugby 7s players, he was just humble. He would listen to advice 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 in the Singapore final to move to 225.