The two bodies joined forces again at the 2023 Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship in India
The FIVB and Special Olympics (SO) once again joined forces during the Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship 2023 in Bengaluru, India. During the tournament, ten SO Bharat athletes were joined by the two final teams – Italy’s Sir Safety Perugia and Itambé Minas of Brazil – in a symbolic jersey exchange ceremony. Providing a powerful platform to bring people together, the ceremony showcased both organisations’ enduring commitment to promoting inclusion, unity, and respect through sport.
The SO athletes also had the opportunity to take part in a training session with players from both the Italian and Brazilian teams. This session not only allowed the SO athletes to showcase their exceptional talent, but also further cemented the importance of sport in transcending boundaries and promoting inclusion.
These events act as an important follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between FIVB and Special Olympics International during the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 in June.
FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° said: “The FIVB is delighted to continue its partnership with Special Olympics, once again showcasing the unifying power of volleyball. The commemorative jersey exchange ceremony, held in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat during the Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship in India, demonstrated our shared values of inclusivity, empowerment and promoting a healthy lifestyle, and we look forward to expanding this collaboration over the coming years.”
DG Chaudhary, General Secretary, Special Olympics Bharat stated: “At Special Olympics Bharat, we believe in the transformative power of sports to create a more inclusive world. The Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships is a testament to our commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering a society where every individual, regardless of ability, feels valued and included. I would personally like to thank FIVB and the Indian Organising Committee for rooting for the cause of Special Olympics here in India.”
Preethy Janarthanan, Sports & Competition team, Special Olympics Asia Pacific explained: “In Special Olympics, a key area of our work focuses on providing sports training to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. We work to give them continued opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of skills and friendship within the community. We are extremely delighted to see our Special Olympics athletes fulfilling their passion, showcasing their talent, enjoying the great atmosphere and learning from some of the world’s top volleyball players from across the world at the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 in Bengaluru. These sessions are just one of the multiple ways in which Special Olympics reinforces sports and fitness as a way of life for our athletes, which helps to grow their confidence and esteem.”
As part of the MOU, the FIVB and SO have been collaborating on various projects, including knowledge transfer programmes, joint sponsorship efforts, the cross promotion of athletes and working together for the development of volleyball worldwide.
Earlier this year, a series of events were held in Poland and Brazil when SO teams attended the FIVB Women’s Road to Paris Volleyball Qualifier in Lodz, Poland and the FIVB Men’s Road to Paris Volleyball Qualifier in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to celebrate the MOU.
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