Veteran Malkia Strikers setter Janet Wanja has big plans for the squad after being incorporated into the team’s coaching setup
Volleyball legend Janet Wanja is keen to lift the fitness levels of Malkia Strikers players after joining the team’s coaching setup.
Wanja, a highly-decorated player for Kenya and Pipeline Volleyball Club, joined the team’s technical bench as a fitness trainer as she continues to transition from playing into coaching having retired in 2017.
The 39-year-old has wasted no time and is already with the team as they prepare for the Africa Zone Five Championships, which will serve as the qualifiers for the All Africa Games.
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“Throughout my playing career both in the club and the national team, I never had a female trainer,” Wanja told Capital Sport.
“I saw an opportunity after retiring and also because I am very much interested in fitness, to undertake a course in the same and pursue it as a career.
“I know how the female body works and reacts to training and also understand the players. This is why I chose this as a career path.”
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With the 2024 calendar including the Paris Olympics, Wanja will hope to be part of the team when they head to the French capital but for now, it is maximising the talent at their disposal to ensure optimal performance in the soon-to-be held competitions.
“We have a good team with a lot of potential. We have players who are really good physically and also with a lot of passion for the game. They are always ready for competition even at club level,” she added.
“There is some bit of experience I have gathered and I hope to pass it on to them to ensure that they also succeed.”
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Qualifying for All Africa Games will be crucial for five-time winners Kenya who are seeking to defend their title in Ghana as it will form part of their Olympics preparations.
Having experienced heads like Wanja in their ranks will boost their preparations for both events given her experience at such level.
Wanja was part of the 2004 Kenyan team that qualified for the Athens Olympics with their appearance in the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games coming after she had retired.
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