Ibarra family professionalizes ecuavóley legacy

In Ibarra, Ecuador, the sport of ecuavóley is transitioning into a professional career path for the next generation. Aníbal Valenzuela, a prominent player during the 1990s and early 2000s, has seen his passion for the sport evolve into a sustainable livelihood for his children, Luis and Hugo Valenzuela.

Both sons are integrated into the structure of the Liga Nacional de Ecuavóley (LNE) as of its first edition in 2025, receiving salaries for their athletic activities. Luis serves as a coach, while Hugo plays for the Ibarra Norteños club. To support this development, the Hugo Valenzuela Ecuavóley School was established in 2023, following Hugo's success in the 2022 Copa Canela with the Celestial club.