President Graça hails volleyball’s “golden age” in Peking university speech

FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° left an indelible impression on young Chinese minds on Wednesday at a students’ forum hosted by Peking University, where he shared his thoughts on the development of the FIVB, successful leadership, and the future of volleyball in China.

President Graça was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of 200 EMBA students, faculties, members of the media, as well as Mr. Jian Jie, Deputy Director of External Affairs at the Chinese Volleyball Association. President Graça was joined on stage by FIVB Secretary General Fernando Lima. During a keynote address, President Graça and Mr Lima highlighted the next steps for the evolution and development of volleyball in China and on a global scale as it looks to be the number one family sport entertainment in the world.

Ahead of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio, a FIVB delegation led by President Graça is on a whirlwind tour across East Asia to meet with representatives from National Federations, sponsors, and media. Following a visit to Tokyo during the FIVB Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament, the delegation arrived in Beijing to exchange ideas for future commercial and competitive partnerships with leaders of the Chinese Volleyball Association.

“Volleyball has seen marked growth in relevance, popularity and revenue in the past four years,” President Graça told the audience. “Through better governance, innovative program management and more investment in its own business, the FIVB can move to the next level of development as the top family entertainment sport in the world. As we approach the Rio Olympics this summer, I truly believe we have entered the golden era of volleyball.”

President Graça will also meet with top Chinese sports and national media for a series of in-depth interviews, including CCTV, one of the world’s largest media and China’s official broadcaster of the Rio Olympics.

“China plays a key role in taking us to this next level,” continued President Graça. “The long tradition of success achieved by the Chinese women’s volleyball team and its continual success today makes China an ideal territory for our effort to push new and innovative volleyball products. The new technology, sport presentation, entertainment and grassroots initiatives will enable us to attract new partnerships and create revenue streams in the Chinese market.

“The FIVB is excited to work with the Chinese Volleyball Association, as well as our commercial and media partners, to bring elite volleyball and beach volleyball events to China. We see both as important pillars for education, health and social development for Chinese people of all ages.”