Lucerne, Switzerland, May 15, 2015 - Brazilian Jefferson Santos Pereira wants to bring Qatar on the international Beach Volleyball map and qualify for the Olympics in his hometown Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil is well-known for its exports: the South American country is among the biggest exporters of natural resources like gasoline, wood, and carbon; but there’s a new Brazilian export on the list: Beach Volleyball.
Brazilian Beach Volleyball Jefferson Santos is the best example; the 25-years-old player from Rio de Janeiro isn’t playing in the national jersey of his home country Brazil, but in the one of the small Gulf State Qatar – and imports the Brazilian passion for Beach Volleyball to the Emirates.
Jefferson is poised to bring the Brazilian Beach Volleyball culture to the state on the shores of the Persian Gulf. “Qatar used to have no Beach Volleyball tradition until the Qatar Open last year; I want to bring the small Gulf State on the international Beach Volleyball map,” the player from the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain explains.
Jefferson is sure that the latest results have had a big impact. “Beach Volleyball came to Qatar with the FIVB World Tour stop last year – that was the first time that Qataris came in touch with Beach Volleyball – now Qatar has got a Beach Volleyball team and young players that are keen to prove themselves and to represent Qatar in the international Beach Volleyball circus.”
One of the aspiring young Qataris poised to turn the Gulf State into a Beach Volleyball nation is Jefferson’s 19-years-old teammate Cherif Younusse. The 25-years-old Brazilian and the Qatari youngster have already made the Main Draw at their second FIVB World Tour tournament as team. “We can be really proud of our latest games – of course we need more time as team to get used to each other, but I’m really optimistic as we’ve had some great results against strong opponents.”
Despite the latest success with his young teammate Cherif in the sand, Jefferson has to admit that it hasn’t always been easy to live in the small Gulf State. “I have been making big efforts to learn Arabic, but it’s quite difficult. After over two years in Qatar, I can communicate in daily life, but writing and reading is still very difficult”, Jefferson explains the communication issues in his daily life in Qatar.
On the other hand, Jefferson has to focus on the performances in the sand in the upcoming month; most of all since the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro are coming closer. “I’m really looking forward to the Olympics in Brazil. It would be a huge feeling to make the qualification since the Olympic Games take part in my hometown Rio de Janeiro and all my family and friends could come to watch my matches,” Jefferson tells. The Brazilian is sure that the Brazilians are going to cheer on him, even though he’s not playing for his home country – and wants to make the qualification this year: “It’s a big year for us – and we are eager to gather as much points as possible – also here at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Lucerne Open 2015,” Jefferson concludes.