TEHRAN – Iran volleyball head coach Mauricio Motta Paes is optimistic about securing a place for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Iran are scheduled to play Serbia in the 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on May 22 in Brazil in their opening match and will also face Italy (May 24), Cuba (May 25) and Argentina (May 26).

Iran's prospects for qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics are dim due to poor performance in the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Nations League and the Olympic qualifiers but the Brazilian coach says that it’s not an impossible mission.

“First of all, I would like to say I fell in love with volleyball since I was eight. I am here to prepare my team for the 2024 VNL,” the 61-year-old coach said in the press conference held on Sunday in Tehran.

“There are four teams to vie for a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games and our aim is to secure our berth and in my opinion it’s not an impossible mission. We have a chance to show our real potential under pressure,” he added.

Two key players Mohammad Mousavi and Amir Ghafour have withdrawn from the national team and Team Melli will have a difficult task ahead in the 2024 VNL.

“They could help us in the competition but they honestly said that they are not ready for the event and I like their honesty. We face lack of time and have to concentrate on our upcoming matches. For example, the match against Serbia will be very decisive.

“This is not the right time to criticize and must focus on the 2024 VNL. After the competition we have enough time to criticize the team. Cuba and Serbia are also favorites to secure a spot in the 2024 Paris but I believe in Iranian players’ quality and I am sure they will do their best to make it happen,” Paes stated.

“We don't have much time, but we have a same goal that everyone should believe in. The Iranian players should do their best for the national team. If someone does not believe this, it is better not to be in the national team. I hope the results go in our favor this summer,” Paes concluded.