Photo: Courtesy of family (taken from JIT)

Havana, January 28 (RHC)-- The Cuban Football Association (AFC) today lamented through the social network Twitter the death of Alfredo Carralero Velázquez, whom it called "A Man of Soccer."

His death becomes a sensitive loss for the soccer movement in Cuba, said Oliet Rodríguez, president of the AFC, who highlighted his role as the initiator of the national school of coaches of this sport.

Carralero was committed to the creation of the center, to which he dedicated all his efforts from his position as director until the end of his life.

Linked to football since he was 12 years old, he chose to enroll in the career of Physical Education and Sports.  After graduating with a gold degree, he moved to Ciego de Avila and there he collaborated in the improvement of coaches and athletes.

Carralero took part in several of the triumphs achieved by that province's soccer team, among which stand out the crowns in the 1993 national championship, the 1994 Matilda Cup and the 1995 Radio Ciudad del Mar Cup, as physical trainer.

However, his greatest contributions to the sport of the multitudes came in the scientific field and from his condition of Doctor in Sciences of Physical Education and Sport.

He participated in scientific events in Cuba and abroad and was actively involved in studies for the technical and tactical improvement of soccer players in several universities of the continent.

We are talking about an impeccable human being, humble in spite of his excellent record, and a selfless worker for the benefit of Cuban soccer.

At the time of his death, he was also the director of training at the AFC.