Bangkok, Thailand, August 29, 2024 – The 25th AVC Elective General Assembly got underway with a bang at The Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel Bangkok on Thursday, with FIVB President Dr Ary Graca leading Asian Volleyball Family in a ceremony to celebrate the auspicious occasion of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhau’s 72nd Birthday Anniversary.
The two-day meeting was attended by AVC Executive Members, Board of Administration Members and all delegates from AVC Affiliated National Federations.
After that, the FIVB President together with FIVB General Director Mr Fabio Azevedo, AVC President Mrs Rita Subowo, Thailand Volleyball Association President Mr Somporn Chaibangyang, Professor Charon Wattanasin, Vice President of National Olympic Committee of Thailand, and all AVC Executive Members comprising Mr Cai Y from China, AVC Senior Executive Vice President, Executive Zonal Vice President representing Eastern Zone and AVC Treasurer, Mr Mohamed Latheef from Maldives, AVC Executive Vice President, Mr Hugh Graham from Cook Islands, Executive Zonal Vice President repressing Oceania Zone, Mr Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai from Thailand, Executive Zonal Vice President representing Southeastern Zone and AVC Secretary General, Mr Ali Granim Al-Kuwari from Qatar, Executive Zonal Vice President representing Western Zone and Mrs Fong Sok Van Alice Oliver from Macao, China, Female Member, were all invited on stage.
Professor Charoen, speaking on behalf of NOCT, was the first to deliver a welcome speech to all participants. “It’s my great pleasure and honour to welcome all of you to the 25th AVC General Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand. Volleyball becomes one of the most popular sports in Thailand. The achievement had been made through the clear-cut planning and administration of AVC and TVA under the effective leadership of Mr Somporn. For the Thai people and sports bodies including NOCT, we encourage and admire the continuation of volleyball in Thailand and we will also continue to give our best support for volleyball activities of TVA and AVC. As host city, Bangkok has known for its rich cultural heritage and kind hospitality of people. Aside from the meeting, I hope each of you will enjoy your time here and explore the vibrant charm of Bangkok.”
Following the roll call made by AVC Secretary General Mr Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, among 65 AVC Affiliated National Federations, 44 delegates and 18 proxies attended the meeting with three missing.
Shortly after that, AVC President Mrs Rita Subowo kick-started the meeting with the opening remarks.
“On behalf of AVC, I would like to welcome you all to this General Assembly. We have with us now our beloved FIVB President Dr Ary Graca and FIVB General Director Mr Fabio and all the FIVB Family that support and help us. I would like to extend my appreciation to FIVB President and high-ranked officials who always help and support us. This General Assembly will not happen without the strong support not only from AVC Headquarters, but also all of you as you all delegates actively participated,” Subowo was quoted as saying.
“In the previous Assembly, there were a lot of changes and development which were presented to you for consideration and acknowledgement, but this time it’s an election year. There will be a new AVC President, new Board of Administration and Technical Committees and Council. Your kind cooperation will bring success to AVC in the near future. Thank you for your participation, your hard work and your friendship which made us strong and wonderful in AVC Family,” she added.
FIVB President Dr Ary Graca also addressed the Assembly, presenting his empowering and emotional speech to all participants.
“Many of you will remember the promises I made during my presidency since 2012. The promises are about two things – Innovation and Opportunity. I encouraged you to dream big and we did it. I am proud to say that I have fulfilled our promises. I gave you possibility not only in Asia but the rest of the world. All our dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them,” he said.
In his speech, the FIVB President also highlighted the amazing success of the volleyball and beach volleyball competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which included the full seating capacity in every session of the game, morning, afternoon or evening and the sold-out tickets, extensive and impactful media coverage and the incredible Volleyball Experiences that the FIVB and the FIVB Volleyball Foundation created. This really marked a significant milestone in the development and progress of volleyball.
“Today, volleyball is more than just a game, it’s a great show with entertainment, fans engagement with technology and innovations,” he insisted.
He also emphasized on the importance of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment and Development Program to aid athletes and teams as well as the Volleyball Foundation to connect, serve and inspire global communities through volleyball to improve societies.
“Believe! Believe in yourself. You can do it. You have to help your group do it and succeed it. My message to you today is stand for what you believe. Stand for volleyball. The future belongs to you. The future belongs to volleyball,” he concluded.
The Assembly proceeded, with approvals of agenda, the Minutes of the 24th AVC General Assembly in the Netherlands and the previous AVC Board of Administration Meetings.
After that, the FIVB Empowerment and Development Programe was presented by FIVB General Director Mr Fabio Azevedo, FIVB Head of Technical & Development Department Mr Steve Tutton and FIVB Development Manger Mr Hitesh Malhotra, while Volleyball Foundation Executive Director Elizaveta Brachtnone reported on detailed information of the Volleyball Foundation.
The first session of the meeting ended at 11.30am local time and resumed at 2pm, with reports including the President’s Report and Mr Hitesh’s useful information on the Olympic Solidarity application, followed by respective Zonal Associations’ Reports from all five zones, namely Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) by Mr Latheef, Eastern Asian Volleyball Association (EAVA) by Mr Cai Yi, Oceania Zone Volleyball Association (OZVA) by Mr Hugh Graham, Southeastern Asian Volleyball Association (SAVA) by Mr Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai and Western Asian Volleyball Association (WAVA) by Mr Ali Granim Al-Kuwari.
Chairpersons of the AVC Technical Committees and Council also reported on their activities and updates, with Dr Eom Han-Joo on Sports Events Council, Mr Songsak Chareonpong on Referees Committee, Mr Park Ki-Won on Coaches Committee, Mr Craig Carracher on Beach Volleyball Committee, Dr Rueangsak Siriphol on Medical Committee and Mr Heyzer Harsono on Development and Marketing Committee.
Before the end of the first-day meeting, AVC President Mrs Rita gave the floor to the two candidates for the AVC Presidency to bring their significant working experience to the meeting, discuss their visions and show what direction the AVC is headed towards if they are elected the new AVC President.
The biennial AVC General Assembly continues on Friday as all is set for vote counting for new AVC President and election for new AVC Board of Administration and AVC Technical Committees and Council.
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