Former Kenya Sevens star Collins Injera is playing for the Nondies legends during a recent match/HANDOUT 

 Kenya Sevens legend Collins Injera has described this weekend’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Division Two tournament as a potential turning point for the sport in the country.

The country’s all-time leading try scorer in the shorter version of the game said the successful hosting of the two-day championship could unlock fresh momentum for rugby and position Kenya as a continental hub outside South Africa.

“This tournament is huge not only for the rugby fraternity but also for the country, and it could be the start of a journey towards hosting bigger rugby tournaments on the global stage. So we must make this weekend count,” said Injera.

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The talismanic former winger noted that his generation never had the opportunity to play in a tournament of such magnitude on home soil and urged the current squad to embrace the moment.

“My generation of players never had the chance to play a tournament of this magnitude at home in front of a sold-out crowd. The best we had was the Safari Sevens, but this event is massive. I hope we capitalise on it for future generations,” he said.

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Injera called on Shujaa to rise to the occasion and make the most of the rare home advantage. “I want to encourage the players to go out and enjoy themselves. We have a good crop of players and a technical bench that is bringing the best out of them. They just need to execute over the two days and do the country proud,” he added.

The former Mwamba winger, who represented Shujaa between 2006 and 2022, said the standard of sevens rugby in Kenya has improved significantly in recent years.

“At some point we had lost our way by playing an attritional, physical game, but I’m glad the current team has gone back to playing the Kenyan way — with speed, athleticism and play-making — which has always been the hallmark of our game,” noted Injera.

He also expressed confidence that Kenya can reclaim its core status by the end of the season. “I believe the team has put in the hard work. Last season, things did not go our way, but I believe they will be determined to right those wrongs and qualify again next season,” he said.