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Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) has named former national team player Janet Wanja to the national women’s team Malkia Strikers’ technical bench ahead of next year’s East Africa Community Games in Kigali, Rwanda.

The 39-year-old Wanja, a trained gym instructor and one of the best setters the country has ever produced, was handed the role to replace former Kenya Pipeline coach Paul Gitau in the technical bench set-up where she will serve as the team’s trainer ahead of the biennial event to be held from January 29 to February 5.

The changes in the technical bench came after the withdrawal of coach Gitau from the assistant coaching role. Gitau had been appointed as the team’s trainer but he later opted out after he was fired by Kenya Pipeline for alleged misconduct

leaving Kenya Prisons coach Josp Barasa. KVF secretary Ismael Chege confirmed the return of Wanja, who is a Mukumu Girls Alumnus, and further hinted at bringing in more retired players to the national team’s technical bench saying it will help the federation build a solid squad.

“We have brought in Wanja and as KVF we are happy for the decision because it is a team she (Wanja) served as a player for many years and walked away with many achievements,” said Chege, adding: “We are confident the squad will immensely benefit from her experience, especially the setting position, where she was the best during her playing career.”

Chege added: “We are looking at bringing in more retired players to the team because we want to build a solid squad, and we all know that the former players are key in this process and must be given a chance.”