GIVING importance to the young athletes is a key to successful progress.
This was stressed by Brazilian volleyball legend and now senator Leila Barros in emphasizing the significance of grassroots investment in sports.
After 21 years, Barros returned to the country for the homestretch of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The two-time Olympic medalist, dubbed as the “Darling of the crowd” after her stint in the 2004 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix in the country, zeroed in on the importance of supporting young athletes through the leadership of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
“The support of the country and the federation, that’s very important,” Barros said over the weekend at the MOA Arena. “What’s more important now is that Philippine volleyball invests in a place for young athletes.
“There’s no shortcut for results. This is a major, long-term project,” she added.
Barros said that for years, she received invitations to return to the country but believed now was the perfect time to reconnect with her Filipino fans—fittingly highlighting the rise of Philippine volleyball.
The former opposite spiker of the Brazilian national team also met her loyal supporters.
“In fact, for years, I’ve been receiving invitations to come to the Philippines. Then the longing really hit. I thought it was the right time to come to the Philippines, because I believe this is the moment when Filipino volleyball is growing,” Barros, 53, who is also an advocate for sports, environment, and women’s rights, said.
“We have Brazilians working here, in this great championship, and I want to congratulate the International Federation and the Philippine Federation. I came to celebrate this historic moment together with the Filipino people.”
