Jesús Cruz, the head coach of Cuba's men's volleyball team, recently expressed his dissatisfaction with his salary, comparing it to that of an elementary school teacher. "I earn just like a primary school teacher or any other educator; despite this, I strive to fulfill my duties," he stated in an interview with OnCuba.
The 43-year-old coach revealed that he sometimes has to walk to the Cuban Volleyball School facilities because renting a car is a luxury beyond his reach. Cruz also commented on the support offered by Wilfredo León, a world-renowned volleyball star born in Cuba and now a naturalized Polish player, who provided his club's facilities to the Cuban team.
"He arranged for us to stay at a place for three nights after the final week of the qualifiers. It wasn't free; we paid for our stay, but thanks to León, we managed things more swiftly. Moreover, he used to play alongside athletes like Robertlandy Simón and David Fiel when he represented Cuba. Those connections are enduring," Cruz assured.
He also discussed the historic qualification for the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) finals. "The team has realized that it's possible to defeat major contenders. In the global rankings, there's a group of teams that have consistently remained in the top five over the past decade, and it's not enough for just one Cuban to perform well in a particular league. Teams like Canada and Argentina, despite having several players in Italy and Poland, failed to advance to the knockout stage in this VNL," Cruz noted.
The challenge of facing naturalized Cuban players was another topic Cruz addressed. "As León mentioned in an interview, even though he was born in Cuba, he is representing another country and must do his job. Similarly, we have to be professional and exploit the opponent's weaknesses, regardless of whether they emerged from the Cuban School. León won't go easy on us, nor will we on him," he commented.
Insights into Cuba's Volleyball Challenges
What are the salary concerns of Jesús Cruz?
Jesús Cruz is frustrated with his salary, which he compares to that of an elementary school teacher, despite his role as the head coach of the Cuban men's volleyball team.
How did Wilfredo León assist the Cuban team?
Wilfredo León provided his club's facilities for the Cuban team to stay for three nights following the qualifiers, helping them manage logistics more efficiently.
What is the significance of Cuba's qualification to the VNL finals?
Cuba's qualification for the 2025 VNL finals is historic as it demonstrates the team's capability to compete against top-ranked teams globally.
How does Cruz view the challenge of facing naturalized Cuban players?
Cruz emphasizes professionalism, stating that regardless of players' origins, the focus is on exploiting the opponent's weaknesses and performing their best.