Decorated Malkia Strikers Star Is Battling Cancer – Family Reveals
Former Malkia Strikers player Janet Wanja’s family stated on Monday, that she was battling cancer, explaining her disappearance from the sporting world in recent months.
Wanja’s family issued a social media post seeking public support after admitting the volleyball player was suffering from gallbladder cancer.
Wishing Janet Wanja a swift recovery. pic.twitter.com/gsNvalsc2r
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) December 9, 2024
“Wanja, who was the Malkia strikers trainer at the Paris 2024 Olympic games has been diagnosed with gallbladder cancer and is currently undergoing treatment in Nairobi,” a statement from the family read.
“On behalf of the family, we hereby request emotional support during this difficult time as we pray for her quick recovery.”
Wanja has been battling the sickness for some time, but the family chose not to make her condition public until now.
She’s a retired volleyball player who has been the face of Kenya’s volleyball squad for nearly a decade, has converted to coaching and now serves as the Malkia strikers’ fitness trainer.
One of her first duties as a trainer was in January 2024, at the East Africa Community Games in Kigali, Rwanda, from January 29 to February 5.
Under her leadership, Kenya’s volleyball team remained the highest-ranked nation in Africa, with 180 points, according to the International Volleyball Federation’s most recent standings.
This was largely due to Malkia’s strikers competing in the African Games, Africa Cup of Nations, Intercontinental Olympics qualifying, and World Cup.
Volleyball legend Janet Wanja happy to be part of Malkia Strikers technical bench in Paris #TeamKenya pic.twitter.com/pvwxcFlVbz
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) July 13, 2024
Wanja and the Malkia Strikers also made it to the Paris Olympics but were eliminated after three consecutive losses to Brazil, Poland, and Japan. Those defeats landed them at the bottom of their group.
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Despite the setback in Paris, Wanja, who is well-known for her fighting spirit, underlined her commitment to change the narrative around Kenyan volleyball.
She played for KCB from 2004 to 2005 before joining Pipeline, where she retired in 2019.
Her playing career has been studded with awards, including five Africa Nations Championships, three All-African Games titles, and the World Grand Prix title.
Decorated Malkia Strikers Star Is Battling Cancer – Family Reveals
