FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° looks back on another successful year for the global Volleyball Family
Dear members of the global Volleyball Family, dear friends,
As 2022 draws to an end, we can reflect on yet another historic year for the global Volleyball Family.
We celebrated the 75th anniversary of the FIVB together and in person at the 38th FIVB World Congress in Arnhem, the Netherlands. Here, we had the opportunity to discuss everything we have achieved, in addition to the bright future of our sport.
The FIVB President urged National Federations to dream big during the President’s Report at the World Congress
This year also marked my tenth year as President of the FIVB. I will be forever humbled by the trust that you continue to place in me to serve and guide our beloved sport, and I am proud of how far we have all come in this time.
The last decade has seen our sport develop exponentially, thanks to the FIVB leadership’s tireless efforts to professionalise our administration and to implement the highest standards of good governance, and to a resolute focus on innovation and opportunity for all.
The FIVB’s work to develop the sport worldwide continued throughout 2022. As the year got underway, we opened once again the revolutionary Volleyball Empowerment programme to all our National Federations. I am delighted that we received a significant number of very strong projects. Our steadfast commitment to reinvesting the money that comes from the sport back into the sport is already bearing fruit.
And I am very proud that, under my leadership since 2012, the total development support provided via Continental Confederations, National Federations, Zonal Associations and Development Centres has increased by over 314%. Almost USD 50 million was invested in development support during my 10-year mandate as the President of the FIVB.
The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship saw packed stadiums
We also see tremendous growth in the quality of our events, which were on full display in 2022, including three world championships. Electrifying volleyball action wowed audiences as Poland and Slovenia hosted the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, while the Netherlands and Poland welcomed the world for the women’s edition. Not to be outdone, the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships took centre stage in Italy.
The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) travelled the globe for its fourth edition. The strong line-up of host cities was a clear testament to the value of this cutting-edge annual competition. We also witnessed some of the world’s best volleyball clubs go head-to-head at the FIVB Volleyball Club World Championships at the end of this year. Meanwhile, the inaugural season of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour brought the beach volleyball festival experience to more fans than ever before.
The first matches on the new Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour took place at the Plaza de la Constitucion in Tlaxcala, Mexico
As you can see, 2022 was a year of non-stop volleyball and beach volleyball action. Our new mentality is to give fans real entertainment, and we deliver on this time and again. The year 2022 has truly been a special one.
Meanwhile, 2023 is already shaping up to be another incredible year for our sport. A spectacular line-up of host cities for next year’s VNL has already been announced, the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships will take place in Mexico, and the inaugural season of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour will come to a close with the Finals in January. Next year will be also important, as teams start their qualification journey for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
So please use the weeks ahead to relax, spend precious time with loved ones and recharge for what will be another historic year for our beloved sport.
I wish you all season’s greetings and a prosperous New Year!
Yours in sport,
FIVB President
Dr Ary S. Graça F°
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