Uzbekistan and India, countries benefiting from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, achieved medal success at the CAVA U19 Men`s Volleyball Championship held in Tashkent, securing silver and bronze medals, respectively. The Uzbek capital also hosted the U16 zonal championship during the same period, where Iran emerged victorious in both categories, claiming gold in both events. Kazakhstan finished with silver in the U16 competition, while Uzbekistan earned the bronze.
CAVA U19 Men’s Volleyball Championship
The Volleyball Federation of Uzbekistan received significant support from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, including USD 168,000 for coach support for their men`s national teams, benefiting from the expertise of Serbian coach Branislav Moro. Additionally, they received USD 76,500 for volleyball equipment and USD 6,000 for a national team coaches development knowledge transfer program. The Volleyball Federation of India has also greatly benefited, receiving a total of USD 420,000 in FIVB Volleyball Empowerment coach support for their men`s national teams, who are training under the guidance of Serbian coach Dragan Mihailovic and his staff.
In the U19 round-robin stage, Uzbekistan began strongly with three consecutive victories, defeating Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan 2, and India in straight sets. Iran also maintained an undefeated record. These performances secured both teams a spot in the final. However, before the championship match, they met in the final pool round match. Iran won both encounters in straight sets, completing their tournament journey without dropping a single set across five matches. Iran claimed the zonal championship title with a dominant 3-0 victory (25-13, 26-24, 25-21) in the final match against Uzbekistan, who took home the silver medal.
India finished the round-robin phase in third place with a 2-2 record, securing wins against Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan 2. In the match for the bronze medal, India defeated Kyrgyzstan with a score of 3-1 (21-25, 25-14, 25-8, 25-23) to claim their podium spot.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the U19 championship was presented to Iran`s 18-year-old outside hitter, Amirmohammad Rafieirad. The tournament`s Dream Team included setter Arshia Saedati (Iran), opposite Parsa Gallehdar (Iran), outside hitters Maheddra Dhruwe (India) and Shokhboz Mamayusufov (Uzbekistan), middle blockers Artyom Varzilov (Uzbekistan) and Zalkarbek Ergeshov (Kyrgyzstan), and libero Mahdi Sakhavi (Iran).
CAVA U16 Men’s Volleyball Championship
In the CAVA U16 Men’s Volleyball Championship, the Iranian team also reached the final without losing a single set, topping the round-robin standings with a perfect 4-0 record. Kazakhstan secured the second position with a 3-1 record, setting up a final match between the two teams. In the championship battle, Iran lost one set but ultimately won 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 25-20) to clinch the title. Kazakhstan received the silver medal.
In the third-place playoff, Uzbekistan`s first team avenged their earlier straight-set loss to Kyrgyzstan by defeating them 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-14) to claim the bronze medal. Uzbekistan`s second team finished the tournament in fifth place.
Iranian setter Aidin Pouzesh was recognized as the MVP of the U16 championship and was also included in the Dream Team. The U16 Dream Team consisted of opposite Khakim Begimkulov (Uzbekistan), outside hitters Azhvan Namazi (Iran) and Beibarys Yerkoksheyev (Kazakhstan), middle blockers Maziar Fallahkharyeki (Iran) and Yernur Yermekov (Kazakhstan), and libero Yeskendri Yerik (Kazakhstan).
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood