Indonesia is set to host the FIVB Women`s U21 Volleyball World Championship in 2025. From August 7 to 17, Surabaya will be the focal point of this prestigious tournament, with preparations actively supported by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program. This initiative provides crucial assistance, including coaching support and the provision of essential equipment.
The national U21 women`s team, under the guidance of head coach Marcos Sugiyama, is undergoing intensive preparation, spanning from December 2024 to June 2025, with an additional three-month period following. As part of the support, FIVB has also supplied specialized Gerflor Taraflex flooring, significantly enhancing event conditions and bolstering Indonesia`s capability to organize international-level competitions.
Although the Indonesian women`s senior team has only made one World Championship appearance (in 1982), the country remains highly active in regional volleyball, securing medals at the Southeast Asian Games and participating 20 times in the Asian Championship. Hosting the U21 World Championship for the first time, Indonesia, represented by volleyball-loving Surabaya, eagerly anticipates this event.
The tournament will feature 24 participating teams, divided into four pools of six teams each. The top four teams from each pool will advance to the eighthfinals. This will be followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals to determine positions first through eighth. Teams losing in the eighthfinals will continue to compete for places 9th to 16th, while the bottom two teams in each pool will play off for positions 17th to 24th. All teams will play through to the end of the tournament to determine their final rankings.
Staging the Women`s U21 World Championship offers the Indonesian Volleyball Federation a unique opportunity to strengthen its development system and showcase the nation`s long-standing passion for the sport. The Empowerment program`s support is vital in guiding the U21 team`s preparations and shaping the structure of the national volleyball program. Surabaya, renowned for its enthusiastic volleyball community and experience in hosting major regional tournaments, is ready to welcome the world`s best youth teams, offering a vibrant setting for international competition.
This event injects new momentum into volleyball development in Indonesia, supporting national efforts to improve performance, invest in talent, and solidify the country`s standing in the international volleyball arena.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood