It is time for changes for international volleyball. Following the appointment of the president of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), Roko Sikiriclast August 24, now it is the turn of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). In this case the president Ary Graça has taken advantage of the opening of the 39th FIVB World Congress to announce the end of his time at the head of the governing body of volleyball in the world.
Ary Graça’s big bets
Since he took office in 2012, he has undertaken several renovations that have tried to modernize volleyball. The first of great significance came in 2018 with the creation of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) which ended up breathing fresh air into the classic World League. A competition that came hand in hand with the platform Volleyball TV with which they have recently surpassed 1.5 million subscribers in just seven years. Growth that has been exemplified in the 58% increase in sponsorship agreements only from 2023 to 2024.
Although it has not been the only substantive decision that has managed to give volleyball a facelift, after its failed attempt to modify the beach volleyball competition with the star system, the creation of Volleyball World and the agreement with CVC that allowed the british venture capital company invest up to 300 million dollars for the development of the new and renovated Beach Pro Touras well as in enhancing the global image of volleyball, the experience of players and fans and a commercial strategy based on the long term.
In fact, in that sense, in his three mandates FIVB support for the development of the sport has grown by 442%. Measures that have been aimed at “empowering National Federations and guaranteeing that money from sport is reinvested in sport”, as recognized in the International Federation’s statement. An investment of more than 38 million dollars in 1,169 projects in 201 countries since 2017.
Volleyball will soon enter a new chapter (…), choose to look forward with hope, ambition and courage
His last speech as president
In his last speech as president of the FIVB, he highlighted all these data as well as his legacy based on “innovation and opportunities that have left the world volleyball family“. A few words of gratitude with which he has unofficially concluded his mandate while waiting to call the new election process for the new president: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve you for the past 12 years. Thank you for trusting me to guide our Volleyball Family. It has been an honor that cannot be expressed in words!“.
And he adds: “Volleyball will soon enter a new chapter. It is a bright future that is about to be written, a dream that is about to come true. So choose to see the opportunities, not the obstacles. Choose to believe. And choose to look forward with hope, ambition and courage!“
