Kenyans mourn the death of
Volleyball Star Violet Baraza
 Nairobi,
Kenya, February 14-: Tragedy has hit the volleyball family in
Kenya following the death of volleyball star Violet Baraza who
was a senior member of the national women volleyball team in the
country.
Popularly known to his teammates and friends as “Vio”, the
former Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) player who is one of the best
players of her generation in Africa passed on at Webuye Hospital
in her rural home in Western Kenya on Monday while undergoing
treatment.
While leading the volleyball family in Kenya and the entire
nation in mourning Baraza who is one of the longest serving
members of the national women volleyball team, Kenya Volleyball
Federation (KVF) President Waithaka Kioni said her death is a
great loss to volleyball not only in Kenya but in Africa as a
continent.
“Baraza was a very rare breed in terms of playing volleyball.
Many are the occasions when she could win a match for her club
and the national team when all seemed lost and the technical
bench along with fans had surrendered,” said Kioni.
The KVF President who was the brain child behind the dreaded
Kenya Pipeline Company women volleyball club which has ruled the
continent for many years said Baraza’s death has left a big gap
in women volleyball in the country which will take a long time
to fill.
“On my own behalf, on behalf of KVF National Executive and on
behalf of the volleyball family in Kenya I wish to send our
heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family, relatives and
friends of Baraza. I call upon them to remain strong in grief
and believe in God since we in KVF are with them at this trying
moment,” said Kioni.
Former KVF Secretary General Jacob Owiti who is a Member of
Sports Commission in continental volleyball body CAVB said he
was shocked to learn of Baraza’e death at a time when Kenya was
gearing up for All Africa Games in Algeria and eyeing a slot
during qualifications for next year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.
Owiti said he still remembers the many occasions when he led KVF
officials in meeting Baraza at the airport when she was called
for national duty. “The situation on the ground could be tense
ahead of the tournament but once she landed Baraza would assure
us that she has come and she was ready to face any opposition
and indeed she would deliver,” recalls Owiti who is the
Secretary General of regional volleyball body ECAVCO.
Former Telkom Kenya and Baraza’s long time friend Dorcas Ndasaba
who had a three months training stint with her in Japan in the
90s said the national team will never be the same again.
“Baraza was an inspiration to all of us both on and off the
court. Her death is a big blow not only to her family but to all
of us who had the chance to play along with her at both club and
national team level,” said Ndasaba.
Kenya Commercial Bank women coach Paul Bitok and Jack Omukami
who handles the bank’s men team along with David “Demosh”
Lung’aho the former national team coach described Baraza’s death
as a very unbearable loss while Sports Promoter Peter Kegode
said volleyball fans will greatly miss her.
At the time of her death, the 32 years old attacker was the only
Kenyan player to have excelled professionally having played in
Egypt, Romania and lately Greece. She represented the country at
both Sydney and Athens Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004
respectively. She also played for the national team at All
Africa Games level.
By Jack Kwemba, From Nairobi Kenya |
