Juanotrena
Nine years have passed since Osmany Juantorena played for Cuba last time. In the meantime he even suspended by the Cuban Volleyball Federation, like many of his fellow countrymen, because they all decided to play volleyball abroad. But, after a whole decade Juantorena could once again wear a jersey of the national team… Only this time, it would be the jersey of Italy!
Cuban star might play for Italy on the next European Championship, while he also admitted that he could play for Azzurri on the Olympic Games 2016 as well, if they qualify…
Read one part of the interview which Juantorena gave to deporcuba.com.
Juantorena
“Many of Cuban players who are playing abroad are doing quite well. They show the huge quality of the Cuban volleyball school, which is in my opinion the best in the world! Look at the case of Wilfredo Leon. He has just played his first year in Europe, he has already become the Champions League champion and he is considered to be one of the top volleyball players in the world!”
Juantorena then continued:
“I think that the Cuban Volleyball Federation has to realize that it is a perfectly normal thing that our players play abroad during the year and then join the national team in the summer. I do not know why they are not allowing us to do so. Those are the answers we all seek. Volleyball in Cuba needs to change, because there is little time before Cuban volleyball disappears from the big stage.”
The journalist of gazzetta.it asked Cuban star would he accept to play for his country again…
“Honestly, no. Simply, I in my last letter sent to the Federation I expressed that I am willing to play for the national team. The answer was positive, but they stated that I would need to leave Italy then. That was a requirement I could not accept, because I cannot endanger my career and everything I have achieved so far. I can’t be practically inactive throughout the whole year and then play for the national team.”
Therefore, we might see Osmany Juantorena in the jersey of Italy…
“It could happen. Currently that is the only chance for me to play on the Olympics. And that is the dream of all athletes. I am Cuban, I represent Cuba, but I can’t play for Cuba. I am 30 years old and I can’t sit back and wait. If I do not go to Rio, I will probably not get the second chance to play on the Olympics.”
To back in front page of news click on News.
Also, you can leave your comment on WoVForum.
For more articles click on Latest news.
