The news about the breakup of the successful couple beach volleyball Cuban team formed by Jorge Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz fell like a bucket of ice water on the followers of this sport, waiting for details about the true reasons.
Amid speculation about non-payment of prizes, Noslen clarified that, barring delays, this issue had not been a problem for the duo during the past season, and that he would continue representing the island in international tournaments.
Now it was Alayo who, through statements to the website Deporcuba, He explained the arguments that led him to the decision to abandon beach volleyball, and that are related to a “new life project.”
According to what he told the media, it was a “deeply thought-out step” and that it is part of his desire to play indoor volleyball again, the modality in which he took his first steps in that sport.
According to the player, in Cuba it is not allowed to alternate between the two variants at the same time, and this limitation would have tipped the balance in the recently reported decision.
Deporcuba highlights that the man from Villa Clara was emphatic when pointing out that he maintains his complete willingness to represent the island in international tournaments, in the event that he was called to join the national team.
Although he does not refer to the subject in his statements, it is very likely that the player has received a tempting offer from a foreign league, a detail that would also have weighed on his determination.
Beach volleyball: the successful couple of Díaz and Alayo breaks up
Rumors that hurt
Regarding the rumors that circulated on social networks, the tall volleyball player told the media that during last season the couple was able to collect all the prizes they had won, making it clear that the rumors about financial problems were in the wrong direction.
However, he acknowledged that it tends to become a complicated process and that it has sometimes been necessary to make personal arrangements and pressure so that payments are completed in the shortest possible time.
In turn, the player called to address this issue with the rigor and transparency that he would have liked, and that he has not found on social networks so far.
In that sense, he asked empathy and understanding; In addition, he recalled that beyond the high-performance athlete that he is, there is a person with emotions, needs and family responsibilities.
Alayo pointed out that the process of his departure from beach volleyball has been accompanied by misinterpretations and false statements that ended up complicating a process that he hoped would be much more serene.
Despite that, he confirmed that “every drop of sweat is for his family and for the Cuban people.”
Future in the air
Without a doubt, the departure of Jorge Luis Alayo leaves Cuban beach volleyball immersed in deep uncertainty, since it was expected that the duo with Noslen Díaz would continue providing the most important successes in the international arena.
Díaz and Alayo sign unprecedented coronation in the world beach volleyball circuit
Last year, the team established itself as the best in the country thanks to its performance at the highest level, with its highest point in winning the title in the Elite 16 tournament in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, the most demanding category of the World Pro Tour.
To this they added several podiums in competitions also included in the universal circuit, and in several stops of the very strong Russian League.
We still have to wait for the decision of the volleyball authorities on the island to designate a new player to accompany Noslen in the main tournaments on the calendar this year.
