Luis Alazales helped his team qualify for the Under-21 World Championship; now he recounts how he escaped and discusses his plans to settle in Quebec.
14ymedio, Andy Lans, Matanzas, November 12, 2026 – Many handball fans will remember last November 1 as the day Cuba secured its qualification for its second Under-21 World Championship in 2027, defeating Mexico 38-30 in the final of the IHF Junior Trophy for North America and the Caribbean. But for Luis Alazales, that day meant something more: it changed his life forever.
The 20-year-old Cuban goalkeeper had grown tired of stopping shots from the Mexican players, but after the match and the celebration of the title and qualification for the World Championship, he continued with his plan to remain in Quebec, Canada. “When we returned to the accommodations, I already had my suitcases packed because we had to leave for the airport, and there was an exit door right in front of my room. I took advantage of the fact that my roommate had gone out and left immediately. From there, I went to a nearby church,” he told 14ymedio.
The Cuban national team dominated the tournament. They began the group stage with victories of 32-28 over the United States and 33-21 over Puerto Rico, as well as a 38-38 draw against Canada. Then, in the semifinals, they defeated Guadeloupe 28-24 before going on to beat the Mexican team. For Luis Alazales, this was his fourth international competition and perhaps his best individual performance.
“When we returned to the accommodations, I already had my suitcases packed because we had to leave for the airport, and there was an exit door right in front of my room”
At just 16 years old, the 6’1.5″ tall player from Artemisa had competed in the 2023 Under-21 World Championship, held in Germany and Greece. Despite his young age, he was undaunted and stopped eight of the 26 shots he faced, achieving a 31% save rate. In 2024, he participated in the IHF Junior Trophy for North America and the Caribbean, held in Mexico, where Cuba qualified for the 2025 Under-21 World Championship in Poland. However, the Island’s team did not attend the event due to a lack of funding. Last year, Alazales once again represented the Island at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, where he recorded a 26% save rate, stopping 44 of 171 shots.
“Before leaving Cuba, I had considered the possibility of defecting because of certain personal circumstances. Nevertheless, I decided to put my responsibility to participate in the entire tournament first. My goal was to do my job and win the gold medal for the Cuban people, my family, and my teammates, who work hard every day. I had to fulfill my responsibility to the team during the competition before making any decision, because those guys are like my brothers,” Luis explains.
Alazales’ immediate priority will be to obtain legal status in Canada. Later, to join that country’s handball system, his new club will most likely have to negotiate his transfer with the Cuban Handball Federation. This is what international regulations for the sport establish in cases like these.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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