Athletes in Cuba for the first time will be allowed to keep most of their overseas prize money, Havana announced on Friday, in a major policy shift intended to encourage would-be defectors to stay.
The government announced in the daily Granma newspaper that Cuban athletes -- who in the past were allowed to keep only about 15 per cent of their prize overseas prize winnings -- as of next year will be allowed to keep 80 per cent.
The move is one of several policy changes affecting athletes' pay in Cuba, a former Olympic powerhouse which in recent years has lost some of its athletic lustre as disaffected sports stars flee to countries where they can make more money.
Athletes also for the first time will be allowed to sign with foreign clubs, where the level of competition and the remuneration can be considerably higher.
This would open the door for Cuba's baseballers -- regarded as among the best in the world -- to reap big paydays in professional leagues overseas.
It was not immediately clear if the ruling would let Cuban baseballers jump to the US Major Leagues without restrictions at home or under US laws that restrict money transfers to the island.
The change is an abrupt break with past policies that forbade Cuba's athletes to compete for contracts with foreign clubs, and viewed the prize purses they earned at foreign competition as incompatible with the Caribbean nation's communist ideals.
Granma wrote that the new salary changes were approved about a week ago by Cuba's Council of Ministers.
The pay increases -- still strikingly low by international standards -- were announced as Cuba attempts to regain its competitive edge on the playing field, the Granma newspaper wrote.
Included in the announced changes is a modest increase in pay for all athletes, and performance bonus for those who distinguish themselves. Coaches and trainers would also benefit from the salary raises.
Athletic prowess -- from track and field to boxing -- was once the pride of Cuba's vaunted Revolution. The island of just 11 million people was the sports powerhouse of Latin America.
Low pay for athletes has been a major reason for defections by some of this country's most talented sports stars, as well as up-and-coming talent.
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