Gratification, prestige, and a significant responsibility lie in succeeding the exceptional Eugenio George.
Brazilian Coach Luizomar Moura Takes Charge of Cuba's Women's Volleyball Team
Luizomar Moura, a renowned Brazilian volleyball coach with a successful track record, has been appointed as the head coach of Cuba's national women's volleyball team. This appointment is part of a four-year contract supported by the International Volleyball Federation's (FIVB) Empowerment Project.
The Empowerment Project will provide financing for training events, equipment, and improved infrastructure at the National School of Volleyball in Cuba. The project also involves forming Cuban coaches, and it was approved by the Cuban Volleyball Federation (FCV), the National Institute of Sports (INDER), the Cuban Olympic Committee, and the National Volleyball Commission.
Moura will begin his role immediately, starting with the team's participation in the NORCECA Women's Volleyball Pan-American Cup in Colima, Mexico, from August 3 to 10, 2025. This marks the first time a foreign coach leads a Cuban volleyball team, signaling a significant shift in Cuban sports management.
Moura's goal as head coach is to restore Cuban volleyball to its former glory. He aims to regain the top spots Cuba once held in Central America and the Caribbean, then in the NORCECA region, before aiming for pan-American and world championships. This international development model is similar to practices seen in countries such as Japan, Turkey, France, Italy, and Argentina, emphasizing long-term national team empowerment and coach education.
Mireya Luis, captain of the original Morenas and now vice-president of the FIVB and the FCV, found it emotional to hear Moura's statement about taking over from the incomparable Eugenio George. The original Morenas del Caribe, under Moura's leadership, are being compared to a skyscraper, emphasising the potential impact he could have on the Cuban women's volleyball team.
However, Moura acknowledges that he does not have a magic wand to suddenly place Cuba among the world's elite in volleyball. Still, his appointment is seen as a significant step towards that goal. The FCV reiterated its intention to continue evaluating formulas for development and thanked the FIVB for its contribution and Moura for his willingness and optimism.
The process of appointing Moura as head coach involved the participation of authorities from the INDER, the Cuban Olympic Committee, and the National Volleyball Commission. The contract between the FCV and the FIVB is for a period of four years, including the training of coaches. The contract covers Moura's fees, funds participation in warm-up events, purchases equipment, and improves infrastructure at the national training center in Cuba.
This appointment is considered as significant as the men's team's seventh place in the Nations League or the resilience shown by the Under-23 team at the Pan-American Cup in Guanajuato, Mexico. It reflects the FCV's commitment to improving Cuban volleyball and its international competitiveness.
Sports will play a vital role in Moura's goal to restore Cuban volleyball to its former glory. Moura's appointment as head coach is seen as a meaningful step towards making Cuban volleyball a force to reckon with in international competitions, drawing comparisons with the sports strategies employed by nations like Japan, Turkey, France, Italy, and Argentina.
