Noslén Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo, a renowned Cuban beach volleyball duo ranked among the world's top ten, have severed ties with INDER after accumulating an unpaid prize money debt exceeding $107,000 from international competitions, according to specialized reports.
This split highlights the ongoing tensions between elite athletes and state-run sports institutions, which control both contracts and prize management. Meanwhile, the Cuban Volleyball Federation and INDER have remained silent on the issue, as reported by Martí Noticias.
Financial Dispute Uncovered
Reports from the specialized site CubanSp1ke indicate that the debt amounts to $107,000. This sum does not come from the state budget but from prize money awarded at international tournaments in which the duo has competed over recent months.
A Pre-Announced Breakup
Jorge Luis Alayo was the first to request his release. In January, Díaz revealed to the independent outlet El Toque that his partner had already decided to step away from Cuba's official sports structure.
"I haven't asked for my release; I want to keep playing... the delayed payment is something we're waiting on, and I know it will be paid, as it has been in the past. Alayo, however, is set on no longer playing and is in the process of leaving," stated Díaz, 23, at the time.
However, just a month later, Díaz also chose to cut ties with the state-run organization, thereby confirming the definitive split from the state-controlled sports system.
Historic Achievements
The departure comes at the peak of the duo's competitive performance. Díaz and Alayo finished ninth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a remarkable achievement for Cuban beach volleyball.
In 2024, they clinched gold at the Russia Super Cup, along with two silver medals, a bronze, and a fourth-place finish across five World Pro Tour events. They also claimed victory at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour in Quintana Roo, Mexico, and secured a ninth-place finish at the World Championship in Australia.
These accomplishments add to their gold medal at the 2022 Central American and Caribbean Games, the only gold for Cuba in that discipline.
Recurrent Tensions in Cuban Sports
This case once again highlights the persistent tensions between high-performance athletes and Cuban sports authorities, who directly manage international contracts and the foreign currency prizes earned by athletes.
Over the years, numerous athletes have reported delays in payments, lack of transparency in income distribution, and restrictions on negotiating independent contracts. These conflicts have often led to requests for release or even permanent departures from the country.
It remains unclear whether Díaz and Alayo will seek to compete under another federation or explore professional contracts outside of INDER’s control.
What is evident is that the breakup of Cuba's most successful beach volleyball duo marks a new chapter in the structural crisis of the island's sports sector, where even the most internationally successful athletes face economic disputes with the authorities overseeing their careers.
Cuban Sports Crisis and Athlete Independence
What led to the breakup between Noslén Díaz, Jorge Luis Alayo, and INDER?
The split was prompted by an unpaid prize money debt exceeding $107,000 from international competitions, which had not been paid to the athletes.
What achievements did the duo accomplish before their breakup?
Díaz and Alayo achieved significant success, including a ninth-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a gold medal at the Russia Super Cup, and other victories in international tournaments.
Why do Cuban athletes face tensions with sports authorities?
Cuban athletes experience tensions due to delayed payments, lack of transparency in income distribution, and restrictions on negotiating independent contracts managed by state-run sports institutions.