It is wonderful to be here for the second edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s Under 23 World Championship.
This is one of the FIVB’s newest competitions and I am delighted that we can continue to introduce new international age group tournaments to celebrate the talent that exists in volleyball at all ages around the world.
It is also fantastic to be bringing an international FIVB event to the United Arab Emirates for the first time in history. Volleyball in this region is developing at a rapid rate and it is so exciting for me to watch as the thirst for our sport expands and new players emerge from every continent.
The move from the first edition of this competition in Brazil – the home of volleyball – to the second edition in the United Arab Emirates, demonstrates how far we have come in ensuring that everyone in the world has access to celebrate our game.
With the best two teams from each continent competing alongside hosts UAE and Turkey (who are here as the highest ranked team not already qualified through continental tournaments), this is sure to be a high-level competition and I am eager to see how each of the teams raise their game to perform alongside the very best in their category.
Dubai is a fantastic location and I know that it will provide the perfect host for our players this week as they compete here at an international volleyball event for the very first time.
Dr. Ary S. Graça
FIVB President