CHF 559,000 Raised For FIVB Volleyball Foundation To Connect, Serve And
Inspire
Volleyball Foundation ready to serve the world following incredible
launch event at the FIVB Headquarters in Lausanne.
·
The Volleyball Foundation's mission to connect, serve and inspire
commenced with a vibrant launch event at the FIVB Headquarters
·
The IOC President and Olympic Movement representatives joined members of
the volleyball community and other esteemed guests for the celebration
·
A total of CHF 559,000 was raised through donations and an exciting
auction, with funds set to support impactful projects across the world
The FIVB Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland yesterday welcomed
guests from the international sports community and beyond for the launch
event of the Volleyball Foundation, raising over CHF 559,000 through
donations and a special charity auction to support impactful volleyball
projects worldwide.
Key figures from the international sports community, including leaders
from the volleyball community, the Olympic Movement, local authorities,
sponsors, partners and distinguished sports leaders gathered for this
milestone event.
Successful Fundraising Efforts
The event featured a special charity auction conducted by Piguet Auction
House, with unique volleyball memorabilia generously donated by the FIVB
and legends of the game. Featuring both online and live bidding, the
auction raised an incredible CHF 59,000 for the Volleyball Foundation.
This amount, along with CHF 300,000 from the FIVB, GBP 100,000 from the
CVC Foundation, and generous contributions from IOC Member
KhunyingPatama Leeswadtrakul and FIVB Board of Administration Member and
Volleyball Australia President Craig Carracher, brought the total funds
raised to CHF 559,000.
As announced by FIVB and Volleyball Foundation President Dr Ary S. Graça
F°, the FIVB plans to allocate an annual budget of CHF 1 million for the
Volleyball Foundation in 2025 and 2026, pending the approval of the FIVB
World Congress later this year.
FIVB and IOC Presidents welcome guests
The night began with a powerful speech from FIVB and Volleyball
Foundation President Dr Ary S. Graça, welcoming guests and explaining
how the Foundation will better connect and expand the global volleyball
community of 800 million people across 222 countries.
“The Volleyball Foundation will play a vital role in promoting positive
social values, helping to create a more collaborative and harmonious
world,” stated the Volleyball Foundation President. “The Foundation is
dedicated to creating a world where everyone has access to sport, no
matter their gender, age, background or position. Where they have the
opportunity to be healthy and active. To experience the joys of
volleyball. And to learn important skills that will serve them
throughout their lives.”
Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach
praised the initiative and thanked Dr Graça for his vision in launching
the project. “Through this project, volleyball can really contribute to
delivering the Olympic values and make the world a better place through
sport,” he said. “The IOC already works closely with the FIVB with
Olympafrica and the Olympic Refuge Foundation, and with this Foundation
this excellent cooperation can be strengthened.”
Inspirational pilot projects take centre stage
During the evening, the Volleyball Foundation introduced two pilot
projects: the Brahmaputra Volleyball League, a grassroots community
league in Assam, India, involving over 10,000 children; and the Githurai
Kimbo Volleyball Academy, which offers youth in one of Nairobi, Kenya’s
most challenging slums a sanctuary through volleyball.
Diverse Volleyball Foundation Board and the Executive Director announced
The Volleyball Foundation’s independent Board was also introduced,
featuring a diverse group of individuals dedicated to the Volleyball
Foundation’s vision of a greater world through volleyball.
The Board members include:
·
Dr Ary S. Graça F°, President of the FIVB and Volleyball Foundation
·
Fabio Azevedo, General Director of the FIVB
·
Alejandrina Mireya Luis, FIVB Executive Vice-President, and a three-time
Olympic and two-time World champion
·
Yuji Saeki, President & CEO of Mikasa, FIVB Board of Administration
Member
·
Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and
CEO of Qatar Foundation
·
Her Royal Highness Princess Ayah bint Faisal of Jordan, President of the
Jordan Volleyball Federation and Jordan Olympic Committee Board Member
·
Nick Clarry, CVC
Managing Partner
·
And Charles Joye serving as the Secretary of the Board.
Elizaveta Bracht, a two-time Olympic volleyball silver medalist, has
been named as the Executive Director of the Volleyball Foundation.
Supporters & Ambassadors
celebrated
Key supporters of the Volleyball Foundation were also announced,
including renowned organisations KITT & KISS, Mikasa, Decathlon, the
Qatar Foundation, Generations for Peace and the Jordan Olympic
Committee.
In recognition of its support, IOC Executive Board Member, Jordan
Olympic Committee President and Generations For Peace Founder and Chair,
HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, took to the stage and said:
“In 2004, I went to the Olympic Games in Athens with a mantra: ‘peace is
greater than gold.’ In 2007, to put this into practice, we founded
Generations For Peace to use the power of sport to change divided
communities for the better. What the Volleyball Foundation is doing is a
continuation of this work, and that is why it is an honour and a
pleasure to align ourselves with the Volleyball Foundation.
“The values of respect, friendship and cooperation are all lessons from
sport. Volleyball is so well positioned because it has these values,
alongside communication and coordination. These are key in transforming
societies and communities that are suffering. As President Ary S. Graça
said, together we can make a difference. And this Foundation will make a
difference.”
Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)
President Francesco Ricci Bitti was also present at the event, and
stated:
“As the President of ASOIF, I have had the privilege to work with the
FIVB and Dr Ary S. Graça for five years. What he has done tonight
through the Volleyball Foundation, is to create an organisation for the
grassroots, social and community benefit, and this is very important.
The Volleyball Foundation sets a model for others, and I wish it every
success.”
The event also introduced ambassadors for the Volleyball Foundation, all
of whom are true legends of the sport. These include Mireya Luis from
Cuba, a three-time Olympic champion and two-time World Champion; Vlad
Grbic from Serbia, an Olympic champion; and Giba from Brazil, an Olympic
champion and three-time World Champion.
The FIVB Volleyball Foundation is also proud to announce that the
official notary signing ceremony took place this week in Lausanne,
Switzerland, marking the formal establishment of the organisation that
will serve the world through volleyball.
For more information about the FIVB Volleyball Foundation and how to get
involved, please visit https://volleyballfoundation.com/ and
follow us on Instagram at @volleyball.foundation. |