Bangkok, Thailand, July 10, 2016 – The 2016 Southeast Asian Volleyball Association Meeting was held on July 10 at the Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel Bangkok to review implement of resolution and development cooperation program by FIVB and AVC aside from proposing  development activities in Southeast Asian Zone.

FIVB President Dr Ary Graca, AVC President Dr Saleh A. Bin Nasser and AVC Executive Vice President Mr Essa Hamza joined the meeting as guests of honour. Also in attendance in the Sunday’s meeting, which was chaired by SEAVA President Mr Somporn Chaibangyang, were high-ranked officials from 10 SEAVA affiliate federations including Mr Shanrit Wongprasert, AVC Vice President, representing S.E. Zone, Mr Thein Win, Vice President of Myanmar Volleyball Federation and Mr Heyzer Harsono, Vice President of Indonesia Volleyball Federation.

TVA and SEAVA President Mr Somporn delivered a welcome address, followed by a speech from  FIVB President Dr Ary Graca.

“I would like to say that the World Grand Prix in Bangkok has a smooth run,thanks to the cooperation and support of the Thailand Volleyball Association. However, despite a success, one thing I think it still lacks of is promotion of the sport. We have to be active and proactive in particular. In our federations, we always focus on the competition, the referees and organisation, but we forget to raise promotion. We have to start thinking about marketing and how to develop it, step by step. Save money for promotion in our sport, work harder and you will get more money. The only thing that brings you to success is work,” said the FIVB President.

“I’m talking about the project you should have and try to succeed with your project. I guarantee you, to succeed, you should believe in working, competency and you need no miracle. You have products in the sport and you have to be smart in selling your products. At the same time, you have to use your money from the sport with your true ability. For AVC affiliate federations, I have to say that they are working closely with FIVB. So, in the near future, I would like to see you learn more technology and study the new FIVB website. You have to check your email to see what’s going on in FIVB and your federations. Let’s work professionally and I believe you can,” continued Dr Ary Graca. 

AVC Executive Vice President Madam Rita Subowo presented her recommendation of volleyball development and promotion to all the attendants.

“We have 11 countries in Southeast Asia, but we did a lot of things in history regarding the events and organisation. We organised 2007 Asian Beach Games for the first time and now we proceed to 2019 World Beach Games in San Diego. We have Singapore as the first Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and now you can see the results, we all were successful in organising and promoting the events. We have to catch up with the Europeans and other continents and we must work hard to promote our volleyball in all area. Under the FIVB President’s leadership, I hope we can work harder in the future to develop our marketing campaigns and TV broadcasting in Southeast Asia,” she said.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Essa Hamza announced officially for the first time that the AVC have grown up in their income. “We had a very good contract with many companies in Asia and outside Asia for four years from now to 2019. if your federations would like to use this sum of money, you first must have a project, say what you would like to do and how to manage the money.”

In the meeting, the attendants have approved the 2014 Minute and followed up the report on FIVB Sports Events Council Meeting in Lausanne on February 5-6, 2015. The future FIVB competitions have been brought for discussion in relation to AVC, while results of AVC tournaments in 2014 and 2015 have also been reviewed. 

Furthermore, activities of FIVB Development Centre in Southeast Asian Zone and proposals from affiliate federations have also been acknowledged.