Doha, 06 April 2022

President of Cuba Football Association, Prof. Oliet Mendez has praised Qatar’s passion, role and efforts in developing sport environment, hosting of mega international and regional sports tournaments, and promoting sports environment in number of under privileged societies around the globe.

Talking to the writer on the sidelines of FIFA Congress recently, Prof Mendez said there are good reasons for Qatar being selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, stressing that the hosting right displays the trust and confidence of the world body in Qatar to host the first FIFA World Cup in the Arab world.

Mendez headed a three member delegation to attend FIFA Congress in Doha recently. The other delegation members included Miguel Angel Dias Perez, Secretary General of the Cuban Football Association, and Yuliet Herranz Valdes, Director of Technical Development of the association.

Mendez, who holds Master’s and doctorate in Sports Sciences, has served on various top positions in football sector. The Cuban delegation, he said, had fruitful meetings with officials of Qatar Football Association and Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy during his first-ever visit to Qatar and Middle East.

Both the sides discussed posibilities of mutual cooperation and support. The Cuban Football Federation Chief said, “Both countries have passion to develop the sport of football and mutual cooperation will provide a platform to bring people of both the countries closer to each other.”

Talking about sports, especially football, he said Cuba has a long and deep affiliation with sports as there are a number of gold medalist Cuban Olympians in various sports. “We have been participating on world and regional levels in various tournaments, including Football World Cup 1938 in Italy, Olympics and the Cepeda Caribbean,” Prof Mendez said.

He lamented the burden caused by the limited resources of the country and long years of sanctions on Cuba developing the sports sector. However, he believes the participation of the private sector in the development of sports in Cuba will reduce the burden on the government which is already facing severe financial challenges.

He said football is played in the country by 16 clubs on divisional level with around 17,000 male football players and 1,700 coaches. “Every club has both male and female teams which participate in various categories of competitions on first division level tournaments. There is no fee charged to the players,” he added. “Due to shortage of funds and facilities, our players moved to clubs around the world but whenever the country needs them, they come and play for their motherland.” Currently, 13 Cuban football players are playing at the Premier League level in Spain, England, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Honduras and Dominican Republic, he said.

Pictures:

Prof. Dr. Oliet Mendez (Right) and Ashraf Siddiqui

Group Picture

H. E. Oscar Gonzaliez (Center), ambassador of Cuba to Qatar; Giselle Rubio Carballo (Right), Deputy Head of Mission; Dr. Oliet Mendez (2nd from left); Miguel Ángel, Secretary-General (2nd from right);  Yuliet Herranz (left), Director of Technical Development, Cuba Football Association.