This archive report was first published on 16 December 2019.
Published on December 16, 2019, as the Kenyan national women's volleyball team prepared for the 2020 Olympic qualifiers, a surprise announcement shook the volleyball community. Malkia Strikers head coach Paul Bitok revealed via Facebook that he had dropped veteran setter Janet Wanja from the team.
According to Bitok, Wanja's departure was due to 'personal commitments.' However, sources close to the team suggest that Wanja's delayed arrival to camp ahead of crucial matches in Cameroon next month may have contributed to her exclusion.
Bitok's statement read: 'I would like to announce that we will miss the services of Janet Wanja due to public commitments. The team and I are thankful for Wanja's services all though.'
Wanja's struggles with form during the national league playoffs last month and her consideration of retirement after an 18-month successful career have been cited as possible reasons for her departure. The Malkia Strikers are aiming to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 15 years, but their path to Tokyo will be challenging, with hosts Cameroon, Egypt, Tunisia, and Senegal competing for the sole qualification berth.
