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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 31, 2015 – NORCECA
President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz was the recipient on Saturday
of the FIVB Grand Cross “in recognition of his outstanding
contribution to the world prestige and image of volleyball.”
FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F°
presented Marte Hoffiz with the golden collar, the highest
decoration conceded by the volleyball world governing body, at
the opening session of the XXIII NORCECA Congress.
Dr.
Graça
was given the honor of delivering the welcoming words to the
participants in the general assembly of the North, Central
America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation and surprised
everyone with the presentation of the award not listed in the
agenda.
The FIVB President said Marte Hoffiz “is a deserved recipient of
this decoration as he has been a passionate and tireless leader
who has worked so hard in favor of volleyball in the region and
worldwide.”
A visibly moved Marte Hoffiz, who is also the First Executive
Vice President of FIVB, accepted the collar with watered eyes,
giving a long big hug to Dr.
Graça .
“This is something unexpected, you really caught me off guard,”
Marte Hoffiz said after recovering from the shocking moment. “I
want to accept it on behalf of all the people from NORCECA who
has been working with me for so many years.”
The XXIII NORCECA Congress is an elective one and Marte Hoffiz
is the sole candidate to the presidency of the confederation. He
has occupied the position since 2001 and has contributed to
elevate the quality of volleyball in the region and to promote
the practice of the sport at all levels.
The general assembly gathering representatives of 41 national
federations and territories concludes on Sunday with the
election of new authorities for the period 2015-2019. |
