PORTO, Portugal, November 17, 2024.- The second day of the 39th FIVB World Congress in Porto, Portugal, was a celebratory occasion, recognizing outstanding contributions to the sport. A highlight of the event was the presentation of numerous awards to individuals and organizations, with FIVB President Ary S. Graça F° receiving special recognition for his exceptional leadership and contributions over his 12-year mandate.
President Graça was honoured by several members and groups from across the globe. Among these, the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB), European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), South American Volleyball Confederation (CSV), and the North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) all presented awards, acknowledging the President’s transformative impact on the sport.
National Federations, including the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV), Chad Volleyball Federation, the Polish Volleyball Federation, Indonesian Volleyball Federation, Scottish Volleyball, the Tunisian Volleyball Federation and the Special Olympics also paid tribute to President Graça, gifting him unique presents from their respective regions for his work in transforming volleyball throughout the world.
The ceremony also celebrated milestones achieved by National Federations. The Cook Islands, Qatar, Iceland, and Honduras Volleyball Associations were recognized with 50th Anniversary Awards, while the Lebanese Volleyball Federation, Federata Shqiptare e Volejbollit (Albania), Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, Norges Volleyballforbund (Norway), and the Turkish Volleyball Federation were honoured for their 75th anniversaries. An incredible achievement!
Mr. Shanrit Wongprasert, Asian Volleyball Confederation Honorary Life Vice President and Executive Director, was awarded an FIVB Silver Cross for his extraordinary contributions to volleyball as both a player and administrator, spanning nearly six decades.
The highly prestigious FIVB Grand Cross, awarded to those who have made an exceptional contribution to volleyball and beach volleyball, was presented to several transformational leaders of the global Volleyball Family, including Ms Bouchra Hajij President of the CAVB; Ms Rita Subowo former AVC President; Mr Marco Tullio Teixeira CSV President; Dr Achyuta Samanta Founder of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT University) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS); Mr Fabio Azevedo, and Mr Yuj Saeki President of Mikasa.
The FIVB Staff created an emotional moment by presenting a special video tribute, thanking President Graça for his visionary leadership and guidance during his tenure.
The awards ceremony expertly showcased volleyball’s global reach and unity, with leaders from across the world coming together to celebrate the sport. As his presidential mandate came to an end, President Graça’s legacy was at the heart of the event.
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