RISING TO HIGHER GROUND: Kenya Pipeline coach Japheth Munala delighted with new appointment
Volleyball and Handball
By
Rodgers Eshitemi
| Oct 05, 2015
Japheth Munala says he delighted with his new appointment as national women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, head coach.
Munala, who doubles up as the Kenya Pipeline coach, was named by Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), as a replacement to the long-serving and celebrated national team coach David Lung’aho.
This follows KVF's Saturday meeting at the Nyayo National Stadium, where a raft of changes to the national teams’ technical benches were made, with Lung’aho being named the sport's technical director. He will be in charge of all national teams.
“It came as a surprise to me because I was not looking forward to any promotion this year, but I thank God and KVF for this gracious opportunity,” Munala told FeverPitch.
“We had formed a formidable team in the last two years, where we worked with Lung’aho and I would like to wish him all the best in his new appointment.”
Munala will be assisted by Joseph Baraza, Lung’aho’s deputy at Prisons Kenya. Baraza was also part of the triumphant team at this year’s All Africa Games (AAG). Esther Jepkosgei will serve as team trainer.
Munala’s first assignment will be to help the team qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, but warned that no player is guaranteed a place in his team.
“Our main focus is to qualify for the Olympics. It will be tough to select players, but it will be done on merit and no one is guaranteed a place in the team.
For continuity, I will also give a chance to young players,” said Munala.
Paul Gitau, who was in charge of the AAG team, has succeeded Geoffrey Omondi as the national men's team coach. Omondi, who coaches Co-operative Bank coach, was appointed chairman of the coaching commission.
Gitau will be assisted by Sammy Kirongo and trainer Joseph Waiganjo.
Former Kenyan international Dorcas Ndasaba will coach the youth teams, while Sammy Mulinge will be in charge of beach volleyball.
In an interview with FeverPitch, KVF Chairman Waithaka Kioni defended the federation’s decision to elevate Lung’aho.
“Lung’aho is the most celebrated and experienced coach we have and we want him to help us improve other programmes. We have been successful in women, but struggled with other teams, like men.
"Until Saturday, we didn’t have somebody who was in charge of all these teams, but with his experience, expertise and leadership skills, I am confident he will deliver,” said Kioni.
“He will be entitled to sit on those technical benches of all teams during matches. Going forward, we might consider him as an ex-officio member of the NEC to brief us on the progress of the teams.”
Asked if the new coaches have been given any written contracts, Waithaka said; “They are contracted by KVF, but we don’t have resources to pay them like other countries."
"There will be no clashing of roles and as for now, they are volunteers and we thank them together with the players for their patriotism,” he said.
Reached for comment, Lung’aho, who led the Malkia Strikers to the 2015 World Grand prix triumph, said he was not aware of the changes.