Daniel Taabu rethinks athletics career after winning Safari Sevens with Shujaa
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 16.10.24. | 07:34
Taabu's last rugby action was during the 2023/24 Kenya Cup match pitting Mwamba RFC and Kenya Harlequin before Christmas
Kenya Sevens ace Daniel Taabu has set the record straight regarding his career after videos of him training for athletics surfaced online, leading to speculations that he could be shifting to track and field.
In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport during the Safari Sevens played at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos over the weekend, Taabu explained that the allure of athletics was not enough to pull him away from the sport he loves.
“A sport is a sport. It feels great to turn up for my country especially now that we are back to the HSBC SVNS. I now have a lot to play for other than switching to athletics,” he responded.
Taabu's last rugby action was during the 2023/24 Kenya Cup match pitting Mwamba RFC and Kenya Harlequin before Christmas. Following that, he took some time off rugby. He came back to the limelight with videos of him training for athletics. Less than a month later, he was in the Shujaa team for Safari Sevens.
During his break, Taabu revealed that he spent quality time with his family and explored other interests.
“I was not training; I was not doing nothing either. I just chilled with my family and tried other things apart from sports,” he told Mozzart Sport.
His triumphant return to rugby was capped with a win at the Safari Sevens. Shujaa defeated Shogun Rugby, formerly Samurai 12-0 to defend their title for a third consecutive time.
As a senior player, Taabu feels a sense of responsibility, especially in guiding the team's younger players.
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“Coming back to play is a good feeling, challenging though because these players are still hot, fresh blood. They have lots of energy.
Being a senior in this team comes with responsibility. I have to up my game and work harder to trail the blaze for them,” he shared.
He attributed his strong comeback to mental strength, a lesson he is keen to pass on to his teammates.
“There is no secret. It is all in the mind. How you perceive it is how you will actualize it. If you keep telling yourself that ‘I’m down, I won’t make it,’ your life will be that bad. But when you are positive, things will just work out for themselves,” Taabu added.
The rumours surrounding his shift to athletics did not appear to concern him.
“I cannot shift to athletics. Right now, I am enjoying playing a sport that I have grown in,” he stated firmly.
With barely a month to the start of the HSBC SVNS, Taabu is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that he is ready for the challenge. He will be keen to utilize his experience and skills to propel Shujaa to winning ways.
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