October 3, 2025.- The FIVB and representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) met this week with the Cuban Olympic Committee (COC) and the Cuban Volleyball Federation (FCV) to discuss long-term strategies for boosting volleyball development in the country.
The meeting brought together COC President Roberto León Richards Aguiar and Secretary General Ruperto Herrera Tabío, FCV President Osvaldo Idel Martínez Arias, and FCV Vice President Mireya Luis Hernández, a Cuban volleyball legend and three-time Olympic champion who also serves as FIVB Executive Vice-President.
Representing the FIVB were President Fabio Azevedo and FIVB Department Heads, alongside representatives of the IOC. NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz also joined the discussions.
The meeting highlighted the importance of Cuba’s historic volleyball legacy and underlined a shared commitment to restoring the national teams to that level through sustainable development projects. Cuban volleyball’s “golden age” during the 1980s and 1990s saw the women’s national team – nicknamed “”Las Morenas del Caribe” – dominate the world. Their reign included Olympic golds at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, and World Championship titles in 1978, 1994 and 1998.
Key discussions centred on how the FIVB and IOC can further support the vision of the COC and FCV through initiatives such as the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme which provides coach support, knowledge transfer and equipment provision.
The Cuba women’s national team is already benefitting from the programme, with an investment of more than 160,000 USD. As part of this support, the team is currently led by experienced Brazilian head coach Luizomar de Moura, alongside additional technical staff provided to strengthen the Cuban programme.
The meeting also explored extending support to the men’s national team, particularly through further knowledge transfer and equipment provision. To date, the men’s team has received two six-month coaching projects, one in 2023 and another ongoing in 2025, representing a total investment of 35,000 USD.
Both the FIVB and the Olympic Movement reaffirmed their dedication to ensuring Cuban volleyball once again shines on the international stage, through the support of a long-term, sustainable project.
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