Before the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme reached Cape Verde, the country’s beach volleyball ambitions were held back by gaps in structure, staffing and equipment. Training was inconsistent. National teams lacked planning. Players had little access to international competition.
“Training sessions were frequently interrupted due to the lack of structure, an Olympic cycle plan and basic equipment such as proper balls and nets,” said Antonio Carlos Rodrigues, president of the Cape Verde Volleyball Federation. “There was also no technical continuity or a structured development and training plan. International competitions seemed out of reach, not only due to financial constraints but also because of insufficient preparation.”
In 2023, the National Federation applied to the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme and received $84,000 to launch a 12-month coaching project. The support enabled consistent technical direction, national training centres and new opportunities for both senior and youth players.
“There has been a clear shift in both athlete commitment and training quality. We now benefit from regular sessions, specialised technical guidance and clearly defined goals. The environment has become more professional, and the athletes more motivated,” Rodrigues said.
The programme also trained referees and grassroots coaches and supported U21 and U18 development.
“We implemented activities to train new coaches and referees, and established training centres for the national teams that also serve to develop younger athletes,” he said.
Coach Marcio Araujo leads a training session with Cape Verde’s beach volleyball pair Janice and Ludmila Varela during their Beach Pro Tour campaign in Brazil.
At the centre of the programme is Beijing 2008 silver medallist and former world champion Marcio Araujo, who has introduced stronger planning, modernised methods and a more competitive mindset.
“Coach Marcio Araujo brought technical expertise and a sense of confidence,” Rodrigues said. “His experience made a significant impact on the players’ mental and tactical preparation. He introduced more effective training methods and helped shape a strong competitive identity within our team.”
Araujo said he saw more than just a coaching opportunity when he joined the project. It was a chance to help shape a long-term programme, unlock the potential of local athletes and stay involved through a full Olympic cycle.
“I believe in this project, otherwise, I wouldn’t be part of it,” he said. “I know that Cape Verde has great athletic potential, and if we have the opportunity to engage in exchange programmes, we will undoubtedly raise our level even further. I want to stay in Cape Verde and see this project through to the end of the Olympic cycle. I am fully convinced that we are on the right path and that, in the near future, Cape Verde will hold a prominent position on the global stage.”
On the court, the national teams have reached new milestones. Women’s pair Janice & Ludmila Varela placed fourth at the Continental Cup in Morocco in 2024. Together with men’s pair Admilson & Ivan, they also competed in the Zone 2 phase in Dakar. Both pairs won the national championship, and Janice & Ludmila later finished in the top 16 at the Beach Pro Tour Futures in Marica, Brazil, earning world ranking points.
“It has had a major impact on our technical and tactical development,” said Ludmila. “In the past, our performances were weak, but now we’ve achieved significant physical and tactical improvements. We reached our first-ever podium finish in Europe during the Lusophone Games in 2025, held in Portugal. This development has made our dreams grow bigger. We now aim to reach a World Championship and even the Olympic Games. We truly believe it’s now within reach.”
Admilson also spoke about the change. “Having grown up with beach volleyball on Sal Island, where the sport is almost part of the local culture, we had never reached this level of training and competition before,” he said. “All of this has fuelled our dream to take part in even more international competitions. We are committed to working hard to raise our level and to serve as a source of inspiration for the younger generation in our country.”
To support player development, the Cape Verde Volleyball Federation launched a national circuit in 2024. It included three regional stages and two national events held across different islands. The calendar was linked to the training programme and designed to give athletes experience on different surfaces and in varying conditions.
“The aim is to build and maintain an active internal competition system, to be developed and strengthened annually,” Rodrigues said. “We’ve implemented a circuit of competitions across various islands, each offering different playing surfaces and wind conditions. This variety has been key in refining our athletes’ technical and tactical skills, ensuring they are prepared to compete anywhere.”
Cape Verde women’s beach volleyball players Janice and Ludmila Varela with coach Marcio Araujo during a Beach Pro Tour event.
Despite limited resources, the federation continued to build structure around its national teams. “The federation consistently worked to align the national calendar with the technical work initiated through the FIVB’s support,” Rodrigues said. “Strategic partnerships were established with national institutions and corporate sponsors, enabling the execution of the 2024 action plan and laying the groundwork for 2025.”
The next goal is qualification for the 2025 FIVB World Championship, and increased access to international events.
“The objective is to make international competition a regular part of our journey, not an exception,” Rodrigues said. “We are working with a long-term vision, focusing on Olympic cycles and developing more teams that are ready to represent the country at any time and on any international stage.”
Building on this progress, the next step is to invest in improved training, a stronger technical staff and a long-term development model.
“We are supporting U21 athletes and launching a U18 championship to develop players who focus exclusively on beach volleyball. This will be a vital step in taking our performance to the next level,” the president said.
Rodrigues said the biggest impact may be how the programme changed the way teams and staff approach the sport.
“The Empowerment programme has shown that it is possible to work with professionalism, even in settings with limited resources. We hope this culture spreads across all levels of volleyball in Cape Verde, from school programmes to the national teams. We now realise that it is entirely possible to reach bigger stages and compete in any international tournament, as long as the basic conditions for participation are within our reach,” he concluded.
Photo source: Cape Verde Volleyball Federation