Tokyo, Japan, November 25, 2009 -- The FIVB Executive Committee unanimously approved a proposal introduce a new FIVB development funding project where national federations can propose development projects to be funded by the governing body of Volleyball, during a one-day meeting in Tokyo's Okasaka Grand Prince Hotel on Wednesday.

The FIVB Development Funding proposal, which will now be put forward to the FIVB Board of Administration for approval when it sits in April, 2010, aims to provide increased and improved support to national federations through the FIVB Confederations. The goal of the project is to upgrade the levels of performance of national federations by motivating them to prepare programmes at the grass root level that can become eligible for funding, with development of youth teams for competitions in mind.

"The development and health of the players and federations is the FIVB's priority,"  FIVB President Mr Jizhong Wei said. "This new proposal from the Development Commission reflects this perfectly and will guarantee that the FIVB and all its members grow stronger together."

Mr. Wei opened the meeting by praising the Japanese Volleyball Association for hosting successfully the two FIVB events (Grand Champions Cup and Drawing of lots for Women's Championship) and also congratulates the EC member from Nigeria Mr Habu Ahmed Gumel for his recent election as an IOC member representing Africa. Mr Gumel joins Mrs Rita Subowo (INA) as the two FIVB members with IOC membership.

President Wei went on to explain that the objective of the FIVB is to increase the assistance to national federations in category I and II in order to give them the possibility to organize their competitions and administration.

Other key points included giving FIVB Beach Volleyball universality by changing the Olympic qualification system, introducing a finance system reform, strengthening budget control and finance procedure, improvement of international relations with the IOC and other sports organizations.

FIVB 1st Executive Vice-President Mr. Cristobal Marte Hoffiz gave members an update on the 2010 World Congress which will be held on September 9-10 in the Italian capital of Rome, while the FIVB 2nd Executive Vice-President Mr. Theofanis Tsiokris reported that the FIVB Club World Championships 2009 were held extremely successful, pointing to the excellent organization of the host federation Qatar, the host broadcasters Al Jazeera and the passionate fans who attended.

Other key proposals which will be put the FIVB Board of Administration were:

Any player who participates in a non-FIVB event will have his/her membership withdrawn.

Introduce a Beach Volleyball Fidelity Program rewarding high level of participation on the SWATCH FIVB World Tour