Nanjing, China, July 21, 2017 – FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° completed a productive week in China by meeting the Vice-Governor of Jiangsu Province, Lan Shaomin, and other province officials to discuss the future of volleyball in the region. The delegation discussed further opportunities to develop the sport, which included new hosting opportunities for major events as well as creating a volleyball “hub”.
Three members of China’s Olympic gold success story at Rio 2016 are from the Jiangsu Province, which has helped inspire children and adults to play volleyball. Zhang Changning and Gong Xiangyu were both born in the Jiangsu Province and China captain Hui Ruoqi is also team captain of the Jiangsu Zenith Steel women’s team.
Following the discussions, President Graça praised the enthusiasm and excitement for volleyball in the Jiangsu Province.
“There is a real passion for sport here, with great volleyball traditions in Nanjing and across the Jiangsu Province,” he said. “The Vice-Governor told me he was a keen volleyball player at school, and that he was inspired by the Chinese women’s gold medal success at the 1984 Olympic Games.
“China was victorious again last year at Rio and it is our mission to instill that love of the sport in the next generations, by providing both world class competitions and numerous opportunities to take part in volleyball, throughout this province and the rest of China. This has been a thoroughly successful trip and I am excited for the future of volleyball here!”
The President has been in China all week, holding meetings with a number of officials as part of the Nucleus Project, which was approved by the FIVB Board of Administration to help promote volleyball growth all over the world. The trip has included discussions with the Chinese Volleyball Association, Sports Minister Gou Zhongwen, a media round table as well as communication with organisations in Beijing and Guangzhou.
An FIVB delegation also visited the Olympic Park in Nanjing where the FIVB 2017 World Grand Prix Group 1 Finals are due to take place next month.
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