Wei committed to organize democratic elections

TIJUANA, Mexico, April 30, 2012 – The FIVB President Jizhong Wei is committed to organize and to conduct a democratic process for the election of the new president of the institution for the next four-year term during the next FIVB Congress to be held in Anaheim, USA from September 19-21.

“Since I am not looking to be reelected as president, I can organize and supervise the most democratic elections in the history of FIVB.” Wei said during a meeting with a group of journalists covering the NORCECA Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tijuana.

When asked about his future plans after stepping down from the presidency, Wei said he will be “always in disposition to help and cooperate in any request made by the new authorities.”

“I had the opportunity to become president and my goals were to change the image of FIVB in the sport world and to make changes in the internal governance according to the following four basic principles: transparency, democracy, delegation of power and supervision.”

The FIVB President also commented on the importance of the “Heroes” publicity campaign of FIVB which was launched last year and pursues to attract the attention of the public, bring more sponsors to the sport of volleyball and beach volleyball and to increase the number of TV viewers.

“We are also associated to the United Nations goals of the millennium to end poverty in the world and volleyball and beach volleyball combined with education can help to achieve them,” he said.

“Sport is not only competition,” Wei added. “Sports organizations must assume the role of educating people and taking more social responsibilities.”

He praised the authorities of the State of Baja California, Mexico for the opportunities of education they are giving to the underprivileged young athletes through the programs of the Sport and Physical Education Institute under the direction of Saul Castro Verdugo, who is also member of the FIVB Board of Administration.

“The sport policy of Baja California and Tijuana is very positive and I tell you that good achievements come from good policy and that come from good ideas and from good leaders,” he stated.

After visiting the High Performance Center of Baja California and having the opportunity to make contact with the athletes, Wei said he has the impression that sports occupy a very important social position in Mexico, especially in Tijuana, Baja California.

“I have been told of many touching stories about where these youngsters come from,” he said. “Here they try to combine sport with social work and we must remember that youth in sports is one for the tools to stop poverty in our societies.”

Asked to evaluate the development and state of volleyball in NORCECA, Wei stressed on difficulties to manage a volleyball confederation with particular characteristics.

“Most of the countries are very small and islands with low population,” he said. “Transportation is not very easy but they have achieved 100 percent of participation in our events with the assistance from FIVB.”

“They have been able to organize a team-work but for that you need a good captain like (Cristobal) Mr. Marte who has a lot of passion for volleyball and beach volleyball and also for participation and opportunities.”

Wei can see Mexico organizing major events of volleyball and beach volleyball in the future as he mentioned the case of past world junior and youth championships held in Tijuana and Mexicali in recent years.

“You have taken the first steps in that direction and I have no doubt that in the future we can have big competitions here, it is only a matter of time.”