World Volleyball Day was enthusiastically celebrated during the ongoing Pacific Mini Games, coinciding with the continued official visit of the FIVB leadership to Palau.
The celebration included a lively beach volleyball exhibition, gathering the local volleyball community and athletes competing in the Pacific Mini Games. The event fostered a festive and welcoming atmosphere, uniting players, fans, and young people in their shared enthusiasm for the sport.
Highlights from the day`s events were also featured on ANOC TV, the media channel of the Association of National Olympic Committees. In an interview, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo expressed his joy at seeing children having fun playing beach volleyball against the backdrop of Palau’s stunning natural beauty.
“Being here for the first ever World Volleyball Day is something special,” said the FIVB President. “We want more people engaging in our sport. We want more people playing our sport and having fun with it. Volleyball’s a sport that you can play all year long, on grass, on sand, indoors, outdoors, 2-on-2, 3-on-3, 6-on-6, 9-on-9. It’s just a matter of keeping the ball flying, moving, getting healthy and sharing the values of the sport. Volleyball is a sport of collaboration and that’s what our world needs today.”
President Fabio Azevedo also commended the organization of the Pacific Mini Games and the warm reception extended to the FIVB delegation.
During the day, the FIVB also held a productive meeting with the Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC), represented by its President Frank Kyota, Secretary General Baklai Temengil – who also serves as an IOC Member and President of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) – and members of the PNOC Board. The discussion focused on strengthening cooperation between the FIVB, PNOC, and the Palau Volleyball Federation to ensure a lasting positive impact from the Pacific Mini Games.
A key topic discussed was the proposal to transform the current beach volleyball venue into a Centre of Excellence for the sport, with strong support from all stakeholders to aid athlete development and create long-term benefits for Palau and the Oceania region.
The meeting also explored joint development initiatives, including projects from the Volleyball Empowerment programme and Olympic Solidarity programs, with a shared emphasis on developing youth beach volleyball. The PNOC expressed full support to explore the possibility of hosting a future FIVB Age Group Beach Volleyball World Championship in Palau.
Later that evening, the President of the Republic of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr., accompanied by First Lady Valerie Whipps, attended the beach volleyball semi-final matches of the Mini Pacific Games. Also present was the Governor of Koror, Eyos Rudimch.
Throughout the day, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo engaged directly with beach volleyball and indoor volleyball athletes from various national teams. Conversations centered on their development needs at zonal, continental, and international levels, and how the FIVB and its Volleyball Empowerment programme can support their growth. These discussions reflect the goals of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, which places athletes at the heart of the Global Volleyball Movement.
A major highlight of the day was the FIVB’s official signing of the Sports for Nature Framework, a key step in its sustainability journey. The signing took place in the presence of Oceania National Olympic Committees President and International Olympic Committee Member Baklai Temengil.
The visit also included a high-level meeting between the President of the Republic of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr., and the FIVB leadership. Discussions focused on future hosting opportunities and strategies to further grow volleyball throughout the nation.
Finley Blackwood 
Oliver Wrenwick