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Jesús Cruz, the coach of the Cuban men's volleyball team, complained about his salary, comparing it to that of a primary school teacher.
“I'm paid like an elementary school teacher or any other educator; despite that, I strive to fulfill my duties,” he said in an interview with OnCuba.
The 43-year-old coach confessed that sometimes he has to walk to the facilities of the Cuban Volleyball School, as renting a car is a luxury he cannot afford.
Cruz also spoke about Wilfredo León's gesture, a world sports star, born Cuban and now a naturalized Polish player, offering his club's facilities to the Cubans.
"He found us the place where we stayed for three nights after the final week of the qualifiers. It wasn't free. We paid for our stay there, but thanks to León, we were able to solve things more quickly. Besides, he was a teammate of athletes like Robertlandy Simón and David Fiel when he played for Cuba. Those relationships he will never lose," he assured.
Additionally, he referred to the historical qualification for the final of the Nations League (VNL) 2025.
"The team has understood that it is possible to defeat major contenders. In the world rankings, there is a group of teams that have consistently ranked among the top five for the past ten years, and it cannot be assumed that it is enough for just one Cuban player to perform well in a particular league. Teams like Canada and Argentina, with several players in Italy and Poland, were unable to advance to the knockout stage in this VNL," he said in this regard.
He also referred to the challenge of facing naturalized Cubans.
“As León mentioned in an interview, even though he was born in Cuba, he is representing another country and has to do his job. Similarly, it is our duty to be professionals and take advantage of the opponent’s weaknesses, regardless of whether they came from the Cuban School. León is not going to ease up against us, and we will not ease up against him,” he commented.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Volleyball and the Impact of Wilfredo León
Why is the coach of the Cuban volleyball team complaining about his salary?
Jesús Cruz, coach of the Cuban men's volleyball team, stated that his salary is comparable to that of a primary school teacher. Despite this situation, he claims he continues to work hard to fulfill his duties. This situation reflects the economic difficulties faced by sports professionals in Cuba under the socialist regime, where salaries are often low and working conditions are precarious.
How has Wilfredo León helped the Cuban volleyball team?
Wilfredo León provided the facilities of his club in Poland for the Cuban team to prepare for the 2025 Nations League final. Although the stay was not free, this assistance allowed the Cuban team to arrange their accommodation more quickly and efficiently. León, a global volleyball star, despite being a naturalized Polish citizen, maintains a strong connection with his Cuban roots, demonstrating his commitment to the development of Cuban sports.
What does it mean for Cuba to have reached the final of the 2025 Nations League?
Cuba's qualification for the final of the 2025 Nations League is a historic achievement for Cuban volleyball. The team has shown that it can compete with the best in the world, overcoming major contenders like Poland and reaching the final against Italy. This accomplishment highlights the quality and potential of Cuban volleyball, despite the economic and logistical challenges that the sport faces on the island.
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