Cuba confirms first volleyball players' contracts for 2021-2022 stage

Havana, June 14 (RHC)-- The confirmation this week of the first three Cuban volleyball players for foreign leagues in the 2021-2022 season began a process that will involve more than 20.

Osvaldo Martínez, methodologist of the national commission, detailed to JIT that next week more than ten contracts should be ratified and there is a third group waiting to punctuate the required protocols.

"In this period we could surpass our highest number of contracted athletes, set at 25, among the students of the National Volleyball School (ENV) and others represented by the Cuban federation (FCV) with equal rights to be called for international events," Martinez recalled.

He specified that those under 23 years of age inserted in foreign leagues would be authorized by their clubs to participate in the First Pan American Junior Games of Cali 2021, scheduled from November 25 to December 5, in case they qualify.

The players with already officialized contracts are Havana's Julio Alberto Gómez (22 years old), who will make his debut with the MAFC Spor Nonprofit club, from Hungary; and Guantanamo's José Israel Massó (23), signed by Sporting of Portugal.  Both are enrolled in the ENV.

Gustavo Bryan Ávila, from Havana, represented by FCV, will join the ranks of A.O.N.S. Omilon, from Greece.

Among the agreements to be confirmed in the coming days are those of Havana's Diaris Perez and Claudia Hernandez, and Santiago's Greysi Finé (ENV), in all cases for the Chamalieres of France.

Regla Gracia from Camagüey will debut with Calais in the second division of that country, and Sulian Matienzo will play her second season in Spain, both under the support of FCV.

Members of the Cuban U-23 squad, Ailama Cesé, from Mayabeque, and Carlos Charles, from Ciego de Avila, will play in Russia and Portugal, respectively. She will do so for the third consecutive year in the Uralochka club.

"With a larger group, all the required steps are fulfilled to be able to confirm their contracts," Martinez noted.