It is a privilege to welcome you all to the 12th edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship which once again takes place in Betim, Brazil.
I am looking forward to a fantastic competition, which every year brings together some of the very best men’s volleyball clubs from around the world for a true celebration of our sport.
It will be the fourth time in-a-row that the state of Minas Gerais will host the tournament and I’m thankful to Sada Cruzeiro and Minas Tenis Clube for bringing the tournament back to the area.
This Championship occupies a special place on the volleyball calendar; it was first held back in 1989 in Parma with hosts Maxicono Parma etching their name on the trophy first. Italian teams have gone on to dominate the competition with Trentino Volley winning a record four titles when the tournament was first resurrected in 2009. Since then it has been staged every year.
The 2015 edition, won by Brazil’s Sada Cruzeiro, was an enthralling spectacle of sport filled with hunger and desire from the players and passion from the crowds. I have no doubt this year’s edition will build on this momentum and even eclipse the success of last year as volleyball continues to grow in popularity, engaging with new fans from every generation around the world.
To the players I wish you the very best of luck and to the fans I urge you to get behind the teams and help create the best competition yet!
Dr. Ary S. Graça F°
FIVB President