New Delhi: The international volleyball governing body, FIVB, has immediately withdrawn its recognition of the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) due to failures in meeting legal and administrative standards. This decision follows recent incidents where two experienced players left the national training camp, citing inadequate and outdated facilities, as well as favoritism in team selections.
The FIVB has assigned a steering committee, including members from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and FIVB representatives, to manage the sport in India and prioritize athlete well-being. This group, previously monitoring VFI activities, will now oversee operations fully.
According to the FIVB’s statement, the revocation stems from the VFI’s interim leadership not adhering to required regulations. The steering committee will handle key tasks such as forming an athletes’ commission, organizing elections for state associations, and updating the VFI’s constitution to comply with legal and governance standards.
Additionally, the committee will establish a fair and merit-driven process for selecting national teams, manage upcoming domestic and international events, and deliver technical and performance assistance via the FIVB’s Volleyball Empowerment initiative. This program includes a contribution of USD 258,000 in 2026 for supporting athletes and developing teams in both men’s and women’s categories across various formats.
The FIVB had previously granted the VFI temporary recognition for eight months, conditional on fulfilling administrative obligations.
On April 12, Indian volleyball faced upheaval when two key players departed from the camp in Ahmedabad. They raised concerns about unqualified coaches, the dismissal of a foreign coach, substandard training conditions at the Sports Authority of India facility, and political influences in selections.
The players, a defensive specialist and a middle blocker, exited after their private complaints to the IOA were disclosed to the VFI. They refused demands to retract their emails addressing these issues, despite potential repercussions like bans.
One player told PTI that the team lacked proper analysis and recovery methods, with coaches using outdated approaches. He noted the removal of the Serbian coach, who had contributed to recent successes, such as a second-place finish in a Central Asian tournament. He added that while others shared these views, they hesitated to voice them.
The VFI rejected the allegations, attributing them to internal politics, and claimed no knowledge of the players’ departure or any pressure applied.
Ahmedabad is set to host the Asian Volleyball Confederation Men’s Cup from June 20 to 28 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, with participation from 12 countries.
