Volleyball World Congress Returns to Argentina -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) is holding its biannual congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina where president Ary Graça will be reelected to his second term.

Graça has already received the support of all five continental volleyball federations and no other candidates emerged before the April 4 deadline.

"It is an honor to be the president of the largest International Federation in the world and it is incredibly humbling to receive this vote of confidence," says Graça. "I am looking forward to having an opportunity to build on the FIVB’s rapid development as we work together to make volleyball the number one family entertainment sport in the world."

Graça’s reelection comes on the second day of the FIVB World Congress following a day of workshops for national volleyball federations ranging on topics from social media, sustainable management and the ‘VolleyballYourWay Movement’ initiative.

The 35th edition of the World Congress marks the second held in the Argentinean capital following the congress held in 2002. Buenos Aires also hosted the men’s world championship that year.

The congress comes to a close on Oct. 6.

High Hopes for 3x3 Basketball at Tokyo 2020

The popularity of three-on-three basketball has grown, especially in Asian communities over the last decade giving the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) hope the event will be featured in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

"It’s a new opportunity for new countries, and we’ve seen some really good examples at the Asian Beach Games," three-on-three development assistant for FIBA Nicolas Widmer said in a statement.

The sport has not only been featured at the Beach Games but the Asian Indoor and Youth Games as well. The events next showing will be at the Asian Games in 2018.

"It won’t replace five-on-five, it would be an addition. It’s a new discipline so it doesn’t mean adding a new sport, it’s a new discipline from the sport of basketball and that’s how we are bidding" Widmer adds.

With the full court version already being part of the Games, one might speculate whether NBA players will participate if the new discipline is included.

"We expect most NOCs (National Olympic Committees) will develop specialist players but I’m sure there will be some very good five-on-five players who will want to do it because it’s a new opportunity for them as well."

The IOC has recently expressed the need to include more sports that appeal to today’s youth. With that, rules have been set in place in order for host countries of Olympic Games to have more power in deciding which sports and disciplines will be included.

The final program for the Tokyo Games is expected in June 2017 with 3X3 basketball among the list of candidates.

ITTF President Announces Candidacy

Current International Table Tennis Federation president Thomas Weikert will be campaigning for his position for the first time.

Weikert obtained his role as president when former ITTF president Adham Sharara stepped down after 15 years, leaving Weikert as deputy president.

"In 2014, I did not have to go through an election to become the ITTF President, so I am delighted that I can now also stand for the delegates' vote for the first time in Dusseldorf in 2017," president Weikert said in a statement.

Weikert has announced five themes he plans to focus on during his campaign next year including using digital platforms to better connect fans with the sport, increasing partnerships to enhance marketing and finding new methods to appeal to players and media.

"We need to take some important and necessary decisions in our sport in the next four years. My goal is not only to secure an excellent position for table tennis within Olympic sports, but also further develop it," Weikert adds.

President Weikert currently remains unopposed, but that may change as National Associations submit nominations until April 30, 2017.

FIFA names new Chief Commercial Officer

Ramping up Russia 2018 World Cup sponsorships will be one of Philippe Le Floc’h’s top priorities.

Le Floc’h, UEFA’s former marketing director until 2010, leaves Dubai-based Customised Solution FZ to take up the role of FIFA’s chief commercial officer on Oct. 11. The position was created as part of the restructuring of world football’s governing body in the wake of the corruption scandals that brought the federation to its knees.

"Philippe Le Floc’h brings high-level experience with proven success in growing and developing business in the TV broadcasting and marketing of sports events," FIFA said in a statement. "He has worked all over the world, including for a confederation as well as several marketing agencies, where he developed strategies and then delivered them."

The former UEFA official worked under the current FIFA president when Gianni Infantino was general secretary of European football’s governing body.

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Written by Kevin NutleyandCourtney ColquittandMark Bisson

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