FIVB Opens Development Centre in Favela Community

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 - The FIVB today officially launched the first of two development training centres in Rio partly funded by the International Federation as part of its commitment to leaving a sustainable legacy in the city and to highlight volleyball’s appeal as a fun universal sport enjoyed by generations of fans worldwide.

FIVB President Dr. Ary Graça, who was joined by FIVB 1st Executive Vice-President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, officially marked the opening of the Volleyball Your Way Viva Vôlei Training Centre in the favela neighbourhood of Formiga.

The President was joined by FIVB General Director Fabio Azevedo and IOC Athletes’ Commission Member and Champions for Peace badminton player from Guatemala Pedro Yang.  They were welcomed by kids and volleyball instructors playing drums, creating a carnival atmosphere. 

The President marked the opening with a short speech and took time to talk with the kids and join in with the Viva Vôlei clinics.

The centre, which the FIVB will be partly funding up until 2020, is part of the successful Viva Vôlei programme launched by the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV) in 1999.  Its key objective is to use volleyball as a vehicle to educate and socialise children from low-income communities throughout Brazil and promote integration and social inclusion.  More than 600 children will participate in the programme as the FIVB looks to inspire the next generation of Brazilians to take up volleyball which is the only sport that can rival football’s popularity in the country.

Volleyball is set to be the signature event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as the sport returns to its spiritual home. The FIVB is committed to fulfilling its social responsibility in Rio by setting up development training centres and hosting a range of other development activities during the duration of the Games.

FIVB President Dr. Ary Graça said: “Volleyball will be the number one family entertainment sport at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games but our commitment to deliver the greatest ever volleyball and beach volleyball competitions extends beyond the field of play.  The launch of this development training centre is just one of the range of exciting social and development activities we have planned for Rio and an integral part of the FIVB’s social sport legacy programme in Rio.

“It is wonderful to see the passion for volleyball among the children of the favela and I hope we can play a part in creating a future for them which harnesses the social and health benefits of sport.”