Unfortunately, the 2021 year has not been so active for the athletes but at least some of the background work
of World ParaVolley has been proceeding and we have been able to break some new ground in the area of
training/education and refresh our Commissions and Committees.
Germany hosts
I congratulate NPC Germany who were able to plan and deliver a very successful Tokyo 2020 Men’s
Qualification Tournament in Duisburg. This event was a tribute to the LOC’s determination and resilience and
also to the 6 teams that were able to participate. Congratulations to Germany who won the event and later
travelled to Tokyo!
Turkey hosts
The 2021 Zone Championships took a hit from COVID and only ParaVolley Europe was able to realise an event
– in Turkey. Held on 3 courts, this was a very successful Championship and congratulations to BIH (M) and the
Russian Paralympic Committee (W) for winning the event and thereby qualifying for the 2022 Sitting Volleyball
World Championships. The digital management of the event and live streaming provided us a look at the future
for all Zones.
Japan hosts
The delayed Tokyo2020 Paralympic Games were delivered at the highest level despite the odds. I wonder
whether any other country in the world could have delayed the Paralympic Games for a year and still been able
to fund and organise it. We must congratulate Japan and the IPC and also thank the World ParaVolley teams
and Officials who were able to make it happen. IRI (M) won their record–breaking 7th gold and the USA (W) their
2nd gold. Despite the lack of spectators, it was a great event to watch online. Meanwhile we are already planning
for Paris 2024!
On–line training
I am pleased to report that during 2021 World ParaVolley has initiated on–line training courses for coaches,
referees, classifiers and technical officials. This is the way to improve our human resources across the world
with minimal cost and will be further developed as we move into 2022. Thank you to all concerned
Human resources
The end of 2021 has seen change and opportunity to refresh our leadership personnel with all of the
Commissions’ and Committees’ Team Leader positions being open to change and also a new Sport Director is
to be appointed as soon as possible. We will do our best to involve former athletes and females as members
of our various Commissions and Committees. I also note that the Zone Confederations have completed their
elections for the 2022–25 period and that there are new people involved at the Zone governance level, including
Mr E Hassanein as President of ParaVolley Africa whom I congratulate on being elected. I wish to thank Dr H
Khattab, the outgoing President, who has served ParaVolley Africa since 2013.
Beach ParaVolley
As we strive to add the beach paravolley discipline to the LA 2028 sport program, some progress has been
made with background documentation and Rules and importantly, the World ParaVolley Hickory Point Beach
Development Centre was approved – the very first one. In 2022 we will plan and organise as many events as
possible for our beach paravolley athletes.
Governance
Over the year, the World ParaVolley Board has met on–line 4 times and addressed major issues including:
• Event approvals and postponements
• Job Descriptions approved
• Appointments to Commissions and Committees and events
• Registration of World ParaVolley in the Netherlands as an Association
• The World ParaVolley Foundation
• International World ParaVolley Day Awards
• Policy development in various areas
• Zone Constitutions approved
• Rules of the Game were updated and approved
Meanwhile, we have maintained our strong and positive relationships with the FIVB, the IPC, APSO, IWAS and
the CPISRA as well as our loyal sponsors.
2022
Things are going to get better, especially on the competition front as we have plans for delivering/supporting:
• The 2022 Sitting Volleyball World Championships – China
• The European Para Youth Games – Finland
• The Invictus Games – Netherlands
• The Asian Para Games – China
• The Youth Parapan American Games – Colombia
• Several Beach ParaVolley World Championship Series events
Let’s now look ahead with optimism and enthusiasm!
Barry Couzner OAM
President, World ParaVolley