KDF’s Baraza ready to lord it over opponents in league

Kenya Defences Forces (KDF) women's volleyball team middle blocker, Jackline Baraza, is raring to go ahead of Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) National League scheduled to serve off later this month.

The 41-year-old reckons she still has a lot to offer to her team, adding that she still has a couple of years to play before calling it quits.

"I have played for various clubs before settling at KDF, and it has been a good journey. We won African Club Championship title in 2006 with KCB women's volleyball  team,  and I hope that something good will come through at KDF before I retire," the player, who nurtured her skill at Kabula High School in Bungoma County told Nation Sport on Wednesday.

The middle blocker also had stints at Telkom and KCB.

Baraza, who made her debut in the national team in 2000 and before retiring from international duty in 2010, said KDF have what it takes to challenge for the league title.

"Our opponents are the players we see and interact with every other day. But once they are on the opposite side, our players freeze, and that has cost us games that we would have won. I hope things change this season so that we return to the KVF play-offs," the player, who won the best blocker’s award in 2006 African Clubs Championships, said.

Last season, KDF did not reach the play-offs. Surprise package Directorate of Criminal Investigations and regulars KCB, Kenya Pipeline and eventual champions Kenya Prisons made the cut.

Baraza has also urged the current crop of players to have passion for the sport rather than being money oriented.

"Current players are too concerned which club is the highest bidder, and it is sad because with money comes other vices that are not appealing, especially for the upcoming players," Baraza, who has a KVF level three coaching certificate, said.

Former Kenya captains Dorcas Ndasaba and Brackcides Agala are among those who have  questioned the level of commitment of the new crop of players.

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