Lausanne, Switzerland, February 27, 2010 – The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the Qatar Volleyball Federation (QVA) joined together in a signing ceremony at the FIVB headquarters on Saturday to officially confirm Doha, Qatar as the host city for the 2010 FIVB Club World Championships, which will mark the return of the women's edition for the first time since 1994 and the creation of an historic joint event.

The QVA proved to be outstanding hosts of the 2009 FIVB Men's Club World Volleyball Championship, which made a return to the international FIVB Volleyball calendar after four editions from 1989-1992. However, the 2010 edition of the FIVB Club World Championships, with the dates due to be confirmed in the following days, signals the return of the double gender event after 18 years and for the first time will feature alternate men's and women's matches in the same venue on the same day. The women's edition makes a welcome return after three editions in 1991, 1992 and 1994.

FIVB President Mr. Jizhong Wei, President of the Sports Events Council and FIVB 2nd Executive Vice-President Mr. Theofanis Tsiokris signed the host agreement with the President of the Qatar Volleyball Association H.E. Dr. Abulla Yousif Al-Mal while FIVB Executive Vice-President and Treasurer Mr. André Meyer, FIVB Board of Administration Member Mr. Essa Hamzah and the Qatar Ambassador to Switzerland H.E. Abdulla Falah Al –Doseri were also present.

"Following last year's great success, the confirmation of Qatar as the host federation of this prestigious event is a great fillip for the competition," FIVB President Wei said. "The QVA was thoroughly professional in their organization of the 2009 edition and now, after a hiatus of 18 years, the FIVB and the Qatar Volleyball Association has a great platform to create a legacy for the future. And now with the women joining the men in an historic joint competition, we shall truly know who the kings and queens of club Volleyball are when coming to the end of the tournament."

"We are honoured to be able to hold this event once more, and thank the FIVB for allowing us to host it for the second year running with the women joining the men this time," QVA President Al-Mal said after the ceremony. "The Doha community thoroughly enjoyed last year's spectacle and now we will dedicate ourselves to helping to make sure that this event becomes a staple of both the Volleyball and international sporting calendar."