Pan American Cup to be named after Eugenio George Laffita

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, June 10, 2014 – The President of the Volleyball Pan American Union Cristobal Marte Hoffiz announced on Tuesday he will submit in the next few days a proposal to name the Women’s Pan American Cup after the late Eugenio George Laffita.

Following the observance of a minute of silence to honor the memory of the renowned coach native of Cuba to begin the General Technical Meeting of the XIII Pan American Cup, Marte Hoffiz praised the personal and professional qualities of George Laffita, who guided the legendary “Morenas del Caribe” to three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000.

George Laffita passed away in Havana, Cuba on May 31 after a long illness. At the moment of his decease, he was president of the NORCECA Technical and Coaches Commission.

“He was a teacher, an advisor and a friend always willing to share his knowledge,” Marte Hoffiz said. “Above all his qualities I have to consider his ever present humility, one characteristic that personifies the great human being of all eras.”

“I want to announce that in the next few days I will submit the proposal to name the Women’s Pan American after him,” he said. “That is the best way to preserve his memory to all volleyball generations.”

Recently as last April, George Laffita was honored by NORCECA Confederation with the golden collar, the highest honor the institution grants to meritorious individual members.