Cristobal Marte, former Minister of Sports and creator of the Reinas del Caribe, the women’s volleyball development scheme, describes Ricardo “Gioriver” Arias as one of the greatest icons of Dominican volleyball and a true talent scout. Gioriver Arias had also been honored, with the naming of the Volleyball Palace at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center in his honor.
The sports director passed away on 19 March 2025. He was 85 years old and died from several health complications. He had dedicated his past 60 years to develop the sport of volleyball in the Dominican Republic. Arias himself is a former volleyball player, who was inducted to the Dominican Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 for his athletic achievements
“We have lost the father and promoter of volleyball,” Priscilla Rivera, former captain of the Dominican national team (“Reinas del Caribe”), told El Dia. “Gioriver was a pivotal figure in the creation of the Caribbean Queens project,” she said.
Arias’s son, Edgar Arias, announced the wake would be on Thursday, 20 March at the Blandino Funeral Home on Sabana Larga Avenue from 9am. A tribute will also be held on Friday, 21 March outside the volleyball palace named in his honor at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.
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El Dia
20 March 2025