In an exclusive interview with Prensa Latina, the former star player noted that this is a tournament with promising young players, but with challenges to overcome.

Ruíz acknowledged that the National Championship has experienced a decline in its competitive level in recent years.

“It’s true that the level has dropped,” she affirmed, due to factors such as the migration of players to foreign leagues, although she emphasized that the presence of new generations is an opportunity to sow seeds for the future.

“We have very young girls competing, even schoolchildren, something that wasn’t seen before. This forces us to work on increasing not only the quantity, but also the quality,” explained Ruíz. The commissioner emphasized the importance of planning and organizing strategies to strengthen women’s volleyball in Cuba. “I don’t have a magic wand, but we have the support of many people, including former players who have represented Cuba in international events. Together, we are developing a strategy to restore volleyball to the place it deserves,” she stated.

Ruíz also highlighted the need to balance the participation of players in foreign leagues with their presence in the National Championship. “We have players contracted in Peru, Europe, and other parts of the Americas. We must find a way for some of them to participate in our first-class tournament,” she noted.

In line with UNICEF agreements, Ruíz clarified that the Cuban Volleyball Federation does not allow the contracting of players under the age of 18. “We oppose child exploitation. Players can only be hired once they reach that age,” she stated. This approach seeks to protect young athletes and ensure that their athletic and personal development is a priority.

Despite the challenges, Yumilka Ruíz was optimistic about the future of women’s volleyball in Cuba. “We have an open mind and a positive outlook. We aspire to achieve great things, although we know it won’t be easy or quick. The important thing is to work as a team and give volleyball the place it deserves,” she concluded.

With the National Championship as a starting point, Ruíz and her team seek to catapult the high-net sport back into the spotlight and regain its international prestige.

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