Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, March 9, 2009 – At the inaugural world meeting of FIVB Regional Development Centre Directors, which concluded in Santo Domingo over the weekend, positive discussions were held concerning the goals and difficulties of the centres and the need for more unity between the centres and Continental Confederations.

The FIVB authorities in attendance at the meeting through March 5-7 requested the Directors implement more long-term programs, join forces with local authorities to induce National Federations to support Mass Volleyball programmes and improve the managerial aptitude of personnel under their influence.

Mass Volley programmes are part of a strategy to develop the interest of youngsters and to promote the sport at a national level through events where thousands of children can join together to enjoy fun Volleyball-related activities.

The FIVB also put forward the need for Regional Development Centres to work more closely with emerging National Federation programmes in countries where the centre is located and to campaign to receive more support from National Olympic Committees and government institutions.

This first world meeting was the scene for a series of fruitful exchanges between the Regional Development Centre Directors and FIVB authorities in charge of this important area of Volleyball and the possibility was raised of having the meeting organized on a biennial basis and for Continental Confederations' Presidents also to attend.

FIVB First Executive Vice President and NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, African Confederation President Dr. Amr Elwani and FIVB Development Commission President Mr. Vicente Araujo attended the meeting. FIVB Technical and Development Director Helgi Thorsteinsson, who managed the meeting, praised the efficiency and organization of the hosting centre in Dominican Republic.

The Regional Development Centre Directors in attendance were Gabriel Salvia (Argentina), Dan Ilie Girleanu (Barbados), Laura Calello (Brazil), Nelson Ramirez (Dominican Republic), Arateide Caceres (Dominican Republic), Howyda Mondy (Egypt), Ramana Rao (India), Seong Keehak (Korea), Abdoulaye Baba Sy (Senegal), Chai Nimakorn (Thailand), Insan Ben Hassine (Tunisia) and Luis Carvallo (Venezuela).