FIVB Executive Vice President Mireya Luis was a prominent guest at the National Children’s and Youth Festival in Leon, Mexico. This massive event, held from July 20 to 26, is recognized as the largest volleyball festival in both Mexico and Latin America.
Leon, often hailed as Mexico`s volleyball hub, hosted the festival, which drew an impressive 1,175 teams and over 12,000 participants. Matches unfolded across 71 courts spanning four different venues, highlighting the event`s vast scale.
I`ve never before witnessed so many children playing volleyball in one place; it`s a clear sign of our sport`s increasing popularity. It was equally rewarding to see their parents and grandparents enthusiastically cheering them on. Volleyball truly is a universal sport, capable of uniting people from all walks of life.
A celebrated three-time Olympic champion for Cuba, Mireya Luis engaged with attendees, sharing inspiring anecdotes from her illustrious career and signing autographs at the main venue, which alone housed 36 courts. The festival`s climactic final matches and the subsequent awards ceremony received live coverage on state television.
Sharing my story and inspiring these young volleyball players was incredibly exciting. They seemed genuinely happy to learn how I overcame obstacles to achieve a successful career. It`s vital for them to gain life skills through volleyball, as the sport mirrors life itself: you must celebrate successes and know how to recover during challenging times.
In her capacity as a NORCECA Executive Vice President, Mireya also dedicated time to instruct children in fundamental volleyball techniques. Furthermore, she attended the NORCECA Women’s Pan American Cup, observing a match between Cuba and Nicaragua.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood