play_arrow

keyboard_arrow_right

Listeners:

Top listeners:

skip_previous skip_next
00:00 00:00
playlist_play chevron_left
volume_up
Go to album
  • cover play_arrow

    LISTEN NOW: JafriQ Radio Live On Jafriq Radio

News

Kenya: Malkia Legendary Setter Wanja Honored to Make National Team Return

todayJanuary 12, 2024 2

Background
share close

[ad_1]

Nairobi — Legendary Malkia Strikers setter Janet Wanja has made a return to the national team, almost six years after announcing her retirement, but she comes back on a new capacity as the team trainer.

Wanja, who enjoyed decades of success being at the centre of the national women’s volleyball team and her club Kenya Pipeline, will be part of the team’s technical bench as they head out to the Africa Zone Five Championships, which will also be used as qualifiers for the Africa Games.

“It feels great to be back with the team. This is something that I always dreamt of after retiring but I didn’t expect it to come this soon. But, I am grateful to the Federation for giving me the chance. It feels really amazing,” Wanja told Capital Sport.

Wanja is not only expected to use her acquired education in fitness, strength and conditioning to improve the well being of the players, but also pass on her experience to the young crop of players that are currently in the team.

Similar experiences at club level

Wanja has had similar experiences with her club Kenya Pipeline, where she also serves as a gym instructor and fitness trainer.

“Throughout my playing career both in the club and the national team, I never had a female trainer. 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,” Wanja said.

She further adds; “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.”