Lausanne, December 30, 2009 -- As we approach the end of another very busy and truly monumental year for Volleyball, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest wishes and Season's Greetings to the Volleyball family around the world.

It has been an extraordinary year in terms of the quality and number of tournaments played and the development undertaken in the world of Volleyball over the past 12 months.

A total of 967 matches (449 women, 518 men) throughout the year has been highlighted by 2010 World Championships qualification matches, the Beach Volleyball World Championships, the World League, World Grand Prix, SWATCH FIVB World Tour and of course, the season ending Men's Club World Championships and Grand Champions Cup.

However, the increase in Volleyball development throughout the year has also been equally important. The FIVB has invested more in development during 2009 than any other year in its history by allocating more financial resources to the FIVB Confederations to help national federations. Why? Because Confederations know the needs of a national federation a lot better.

In 2010 the FIVB will invest more in development both financially and in terms of resources. A new development fund, controlled by the FIVB, will work in line with the IOC's Olympic Solidarity program where all FIVB national federations will have the opportunity to propose projects for funding through their continental confederations. An expert group will receive and study national federation proposals before putting them to the Executive Committee for a funding decision.

The FIVB will also ensure that the high quality of FIVB competition is maintained whilst investing more in grass roots development, which will benefit all of the FIVB in the long term, and will be shared with national federations step by step.

The FIVB has already started this sharing process by declaring that certain 2010 World Congress delegates travel and accommodation expenses will be covered. This 2010 World Congress is the perfect occasion for federations to get to know the FIVB and the FIVB to get to know the requests of the federations. It is an opportunity not be missed and will ensure that the FIVB World Congress is truly a global event as we seek knowledge and experience in an effort to grow stronger together for the benefit of our beloved sport around all parts of the globe.

I look forward to another memorable year for the sport of Volleyball and enjoying it with you.

Keep the ball flying!

FIVB President

Jizhong Wei