Malkia Strikers head coach Japheth Munala has called for significant improvements to the team’s technical bench following their disappointing performance at the Paris Olympic Games. Despite their efforts, the Kenyan women’s volleyball team finished at the bottom of their group without winning a single set. Munala has identified a lack of adequate technical support as a key factor that contributed to their struggles, and he is advocating for immediate changes to ensure better results in future international competitions.
Japheth Munala Calls for Enhanced Technical Support to Boost Malkia Strikers’ Future Performance
The Malkia Strikers entered the Paris Olympics with high hopes but quickly faced challenges that proved too difficult to overcome. One of the primary issues highlighted by Munala was the team’s lean technical bench, which consisted of just three officials: himself, assistant coach Josp Baraza, and fitness trainer Janet Wanja. This was a stark contrast to teams like Japan and Brazil, which had up to 15 members on their technical staff, including statisticians, analysts, and specialized coaches.
Munala emphasized the critical role that a statistician plays in guiding the coaching team by providing real-time data and analysis during matches. The absence of this vital resource left the Malkia Strikers at a disadvantage, unable to make the necessary tactical adjustments that could have improved their performance. “The main setback was the lack of a statistician to guide the coach,” Munala stated, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive support system.
In addition to calling for a more robust technical bench, Munala has highlighted the importance of nurturing young talent and strengthening the fundamental skills of the current squad. He noted that the team lacked speed in both attack and backcourt play, which significantly impacted their ability to compete against more experienced and well-prepared teams. “The speed on attack as well as backcourt is what we lacked, and this killed us in the game,” Munala explained.
To address these shortcomings, Munala is advocating for a focused effort to scout and develop new talent while also refining the skills of existing players. He believes that these improvements should start at the grassroots level, with an emphasis on instilling strong net defense and other basic volleyball techniques from the early stages of a player’s development. “We need to instill net defense in our players from the entry-level, which is the primary years,” he said.
Another key component of Munala’s strategy for improving the Malkia Strikers’ performance is increasing the number of international friendlies against top volleyball nations. He believes that regular competition against high-caliber teams will help the Kenyan players adapt to different playing styles and improve their tactical awareness. This exposure is crucial for preparing the team to face the challenges of major tournaments like the Olympics.
Munala pointed out that engaging in friendlies with volleyball powerhouses would help solve some of the problems they faced in Paris. By competing against stronger teams, the Strikers would have more opportunities to test and refine their strategies, as well as build the confidence needed to succeed on the global stage.
Despite the disappointing outcome in Paris, Munala remains focused on the future. He has already begun scouting for potential new talent at school games upon returning from the Olympics, with the goal of building a stronger and more competitive team for the next Olympic cycle. “This helps inform my decision when it comes to scouting fresh talent for the future,” Munala noted.
While he is non-committal about his own future with the team, Munala emphasized the importance of regrouping and preparing for the next major events. “For now, we need to regroup and focus on building towards the next Olympic cycle with the hope of achieving better results in four years,” he reflected.
The Paris Olympics marked the fourth appearance for the Malkia Strikers at the Games, following their participation in the 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Despite the challenges faced, Munala praised the team for their resilience, particularly as many players were making their Olympic and national team debuts.
Japheth Munala’s call for enhanced technical support and a renewed focus on developing young talent underscores the need for strategic changes within the Malkia Strikers’ program. By addressing these issues, the team can build a stronger foundation for future success on the international stage. As the Malkia Strikers look ahead to the next Olympic cycle, the implementation of Munala’s recommendations could be key to turning around their fortunes and restoring Kenya’s reputation in global volleyball.
ALSO READ:Tusker FC Confident in Interim Coach Charles Okere, Delays Permanent Appointment
