Raúl Duboy: "The Demolition of Kid Chocolate Arena is a National Disgrace"

Among Cuba's legendary basketball figures stands Raúl Duboy, a towering and agile athlete hailing from Guantánamo. Known for his offensive prowess and speed, Duboy seamlessly transitioned between forward and guard positions as needed by his team. He left an indelible mark on courts in both Cuba and internationally.

As we begin our conversation on the hardwood, I ask about his beginnings. "It's a pleasure to speak with you, Julita, one of my dearest friends in the sports world," Duboy begins. "I’m Raúl Duboy Cumbá, born January 2, 1959, in Guantánamo, to parents Félix and María. My athletic journey began at age seven in track and field, but my height soon led me to basketball under coaches Luis González Cardona and Alberto Brown."

The Path to Elite Basketball

Duboy explains his rapid rise within Cuba's high-performance sports system. "I participated in my first international mini-championship in Santiago de Cuba against teams from Canada, Panama, and the Dominican Republic," he recounts. "That event was memorable, and I was named the best player. I later joined the EIDE Capitán Orestes Acosta and played in an international tournament in Jamaica at age 11, where again I was the standout player."

By 15, Duboy was in the national youth preselection under Ernesto Trujillo's guidance. "Those were formative years," he reflects. "At 17, I joined the national adult preselection, becoming the youngest player of that era alongside stars like Ruperto Herrera and Tomás Herrera."

Reflections on a Storied Career

Throughout his 22-year career, Duboy played with three historical generations of Cuban basketball talent. "Each generation had its impact," he shares. "The 1990s saw incredible players like Andrés Gibert and Lázaro Borrell. It was a privilege to play with and learn from these athletes and coaches like Carmelo Ortega and Ernesto Trujillo."

Duboy fondly recalls the Liga Superior de Básquet (LSB) as a golden era of Cuban basketball. "Those days, basketball rivaled baseball in popularity," he says. "The fierce rivalries and packed arenas were unlike anything since."

The Tragic Loss of Kid Chocolate Arena

Now residing in Mexico, Duboy laments the demolition of Havana's Kid Chocolate Arena to make way for a hotel. "It's disgraceful," he asserts. "The arena was a vital community hub for youth sports. Its destruction reflects the neglect facing Cuban sports facilities and athletes today."

Duboy's pride in his contributions to Cuban sports remains undiminished. "I had the honor of playing in the Olympics, Pan American Games, and more," he says. "Yet, in Cuba, my legacy seems forgotten."

Future Prospects for Cuban Sports

Duboy advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of Cuban sports. "We need updated training, international collaboration, and merit-based national selections," he argues. "Politics should not hinder our athletes' potential."

As our conversation concludes, Duboy shares his all-time Cuban basketball dream team: "Pedro Chapé at center, Ruperto Herrera as forward, Tomás Herrera as point guard, Leonardo Pérez at shooting guard, and Lázaro Borrell as power forward. These players represent the pinnacle of Cuban basketball excellence."