The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) recently welcomed a senior delegation from the Government of India and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to its headquarters, the Volleyball House in Lausanne, Switzerland. The visit provided an opportunity for fruitful discussions regarding the promising trajectory of volleyball within India.
The visiting group included notable representatives such as Mr. Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary for Sports, Government of India, and the respected Olympian and President of the IOA, Ms. PT Usha. They were joined by IOA CEO Mr. Raghuram Iyer; the Honourable Minister of Sports, Government of Gujarat, Mr. Harsh Rameshbhai Sanghavi; Principal Secretary for Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities, Government of Gujarat, Shri Ashwani Kumar; Principal Secretary for Urban Development & Urban Housing, Shri M. Thennarasan; Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad, Mr. Banchhanidhi Pani; and the President and Chief of Staff at Reliance Industries Limited, Srinivasan B.
FIVB President Fabio Azevedo took the opportunity to outline his strategic vision for the global progression of volleyball, as detailed in the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032. This vision is structured around four fundamental pillars: promoting professionalism, fostering integration, enabling empowerment, and encouraging mass participation in the sport.
The delegation also received an update on the FIVB’s Volleyball Empowerment programme, an initiative designed to assist National Federations in achieving their maximum potential. Since 2017, India has benefited significantly from this program, receiving a total investment of USD 420,000. This funding has supported four distinct coach support projects specifically for the men`s national volleyball team. A new, ongoing coaching project is currently underway for a 12-month duration. The positive impact of this support is evident, particularly with the Indian national team recently securing a silver medal at the CAVA Nations Volleyball League last month.
The visit served to underscore the mutual dedication shared by both parties towards harnessing India`s substantial potential in volleyball and reinforcing their collaborative relationship in the years ahead.
Finley Blackwood