Happy Birthday! Founded in 1947, The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) celebrated its 78th anniversary Sunday. Fabio Azevedo, president of the organization, took the opportunity to address a few words to the volleyball community. Volleyball is more than a sport, it's a movement, he says on the FIVB website. Over the past 78 years, volleyball has become one of the most popular sports in the world because of the values it embodies: collaboration, integration, peace, and solidarity. With our Strategic Vision 2032, we are working to create a more professional, integrated, and inclusive global ecosystem. Our goal is to double the number of our fans to reach 1,6 billion and to empower national federations, regional associations and continental confederations to organize strong and sustainable events. »
Present at the Olympic Games since Tokyo 1964, volleyball benefited from an exceptional promotion last summer with the holding of beach tournaments at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The 78th anniversary of the FIVB is a good time to reflect on the path taken by the Federation and our sport., believes FI General Secretary Hugh McCutcheon. The highlight of this trip was a fantastic 2024 where the VNL and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games broke records and captivated fans around the world. We are now shaping the future of our sport, with a clear focus on strengthening the global movement volleyball at all levels. As we celebrate the past 78 years, I believe the best is yet to come. » Three World Championships will be held this year, in the Philippines (men), Thailand (women) and Australia (beach volleyball), which should allow the FIVB to strengthen its presence in Asia and Oceania. Thomas Bach recently praised the development strategy led by the federation.
