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Dr. Acosta hands over FIVB presidency to Mr.
Wei at special ceremony in Beijing to celebrate 24 years of
unparalleled leadership and start of a ‘new era’
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Dr. Rubén Acosta becomes FIVB Honorary President after 24 years
of leadership |
Beijing,
August 24, 2008 – Dr. Rubén Acosta officially transferred the FIVB
presidency to Mr. Jizhong Wei at a special Handover Ceremony in
Beijing on Sunday after 24 years of peerless success as leader of
Volleyball’s world governing body. “I am retiring today from the
presidency at the closing of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games so that
a new era can unfold for the FIVB,” said Dr. Acosta.
With his wife Malú by his side, Dr. Acosta delivered a warmly
received speech to distinguished guests and media from around the
world in which he called for the Volleyball Family to continue to
support FIVB President Wei as he embarks on his new role at the
FIVB.
“Malú and I, we both wish Mr. Wei all the success in his new
function and demand all those who during many years accompanied us
with loyalty and devotion to Volleyball and all those who gave our
sport their trust and support, to relentlessly continue their loyal
dedication to FIVB duties in an effort to make possible new
achievements and the expansion of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball
beyond their existing frontiers,” said Dr. Acosta.
“During 24 years Malú and I have done our best to honour the legacy
of our founding President Mr. Paul Libaud and we have never failed
to come to the forefront in defence of that legacy which we now
entrust to Mr. Jizhong Wei and his collaborators for them to
maintain with care and honesty the respect of the FIVB general
interest and image,” said Dr. Acosta.
Dr. Acosta accepted the FIVB Executive Committee proposal approved
by acclamation at the 31st FIVB World Congress to become FIVB
Honorary Life President to continue guide the organisation and said,
“together with my wife Malú, Honorary Advisor, whenever required by
Mr. Wei, we will be ready to support his action, if needed, in the
best interest of our sport.”
Dr. Acosta made official his previously announced retirement at the
end of the World Congress in June in Dubai, with the Congress
unanimously electing FIVB First Executive Vice President Wei as
incoming President. Mr. Wei will be President until elections in
2012.
Mr. Wei, whose past roles have included Vice President and Executive
Secretary General of the Chinese Olympic Committee, paid tribute to
Dr. Acosta’s stellar achievements over a memorable 24 years.
“Today, FIVB became one of the most well-organized international
sports federations with modern sports concepts, with professional
officials and orchestrated by democratic and fair principles,” said
President Wei. “Dr. Rubén Acosta, we enjoy all your achievements.”
“The FIVB can be sure that I will continue the march in advance you
initiated and try my best to reach the high expectations you put on
us,” said President Wei.
Dr. Acosta was elected President of the FIVB for the first time at
the 19th FIVB World Congress in Long Beach, California, USA, in
1984, taking over from founding President Paul Libaud. As
Volleyball's ambassador, Dr. Acosta tirelessly promoted the sport
worldwide and oversaw the spectacular development of Volleyball into
the success story it is today, changing the face of the game to
attract fans, sponsors and television through innovative management,
creation of events and rule changes.
Part of Dr. Acosta’s legacy is handing over to President Wei the
largest sporting federation in the world in terms of Members,
increasing the number of affiliated National Federations from 154 to
220. The institution enjoys solid financial health, which guarantees
its complete independence. It has an efficient administrative
structure, training and development centres all over the world and a
programme of high quality sports competitions. Moreover, Volleyball
and Beach Volleyball feature among the main disciplines of the
Olympic programme.
Dr. Acosta’s crowning achievement was in realising his and wife Malú
Acosta’s dream of creating a fitting home for Volleyball’s future
generations. The result of their endeavour was the creation of
“Château Les Tourelles,” FIVB’s stunning new headquarters on the
banks of Lac Léman in Lausanne, Switzerland. |
