38TH AVC BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION MEETING HELD IN BANGKOK

Bangkok, Thailand, May 6, 2016 – The 38th AVC Board of Administration Meeting came to a successful close on Friday with the proposals from five zones and eight technical committees being approved.

Sakol Wannapong, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), presided over the opening ceremony of the one-day meeting, which took place at the Grande Centre Point Terminal 21 Hotel in Bangkok, with Thailand Volleyball Association President Somporn Chaibangyang in attendance as the guest of honour.

In his address, Sakol noted that since the establishment of the AVC Headquarters in Bangkok in December 2014, SAT have strongly supported the AVC. 

Somporn said the TVA have had a close relationship with the AVC and with the support of the continent’s governing body for volleyball he was confident that cooperation among them will strengthen in the future.

AVC President Dr. Saleh A. Bin Nasser thanked all the national federations for their strong cooperation and helping to make the AVC’s activities successful.

Prior to the meeting, Dr. Saleh A. Bin Nasser presented souvenirs to the SAT Governor, the TVA President and FIVB General Director Fabio Azevedo, who offered excellent advice to the AVC Board of Administration members. 

The meeting then started with the AVC President’s Report.

One topic was the internal problem of the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI). FIVB and AVC Honorary Life President Wei Jizhong informed the meeting that he already contacted the Indian Olympic Association’s President to try and find a resolution to the conflict.

India is scheduled to host the 5th AVC Cup for Men later this year, but due to the internal problems of the VFI, the Board of Administration decided to consider switching the organisation of the tournament to a substitute organiser.

Board of Administration member Yermek Syrlybayev confirmed that Kazakhstan was ready to replace India in hosting the prestigious biennial tournament. However, the AVC Board of Administration agreed unanimously to allow India two more weeks to settle their internal conflict.

After that, five Zonal Executive Vice-Presidents presented their Zonal Activity Reports, followed by approvals and ratification for reports and proposals of the chairmen of Technical Committees. 

“The growth and positive development of beach volleyball in Southeast Asia and Oceania is proof that we are now on the right track, while more national federations, including Myanmar and the Philippines, have shown a keen interest in hosting competitions more regularly. The development of volleyball and beach volleyball has been improving in leaps and bounds,” said Shanrit Wongprasert, Zonal Executive Vice-President S.E.Z.

Sports Events Council Chairman Dr. Eom Han-Joo reported on AVC events to be held this year and in the following three years, which includes the 2018 FIVB World Championship. 

Ramon Suzara, Chairman of the AVC Development and Marketing Committee, reported on the courses and seminars to be held in 2016, while the first AVC Gala project was also raised for discussion in the meeting. The inaugural AVC Gala is expected to be held for the first time on the occasion of the AVC Cup for Men later this year.

During the meeting, AVC President Dr. Saleh A. Bin Nasser signed a four-year agreement (2016-2019) with Japan’s Senoh Corporation, a member of the Mizuno Group.

“Taking this advantage of this contract, we, Senoh, promise to continue developing both indoor and beach volleyball in Asian countries,” President Tetsuya Ozaki said after contract signing.

Mr Azevedo informed the meeting about the 35th FIVB World Congress, which will be an elective Congress hosted by Argentina this year from October 4 to 6, in addition to the establishment of a Volleyball House during this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Dr. Saleh A. Bin Nasser closed the meeting by thanking all the members for their contributions.

“We must continue working hard,” he said. “Our discussions today are going to set the way forward for the future. I would like to thank all of you present here for sharing your ideas and for your contributions to the AVC.”