Lausanne, March 17, 2008 – The FIVB Board of Administration session ended last Friday with a number of important decisions for the future of Volleyball. New frontiers for marketing were approved and event dates and host countries were confirmed for the next editions of the World Grand Champions Cup and the FIVB World Championships for Juniors and Youth, while the Board also agreed to offer African country Chad a way back into the FIVB.

The new official FIVB website (www.fivb.org) is to be launched in June 2008, with fan interaction to be enhanced in all FIVB marketing projects. The website will be revamped to include a medical and anti-doping information section with educational tools for players. A new section for referees will be set up, including all the signals for Volleyball. The 2010 FIVB World Championships, to be held in Japan (for Women, from October 29 to November 14) and in Italy (for Men, from September 23 to October 10), will have a special section on the website with a host of information for National Federations and Volleyball fans. A new program for FIVB merchandise also was announced and is now being studied.

Meanwhile, the FIVB Board acknowledged the Chad Federation President’s decision to take the Federation out of the Olympic Movement by dropping its affiliation to FIVB. Notwithstanding, the Board granted to Chad’s Volleyball teams and players the opportunity to rejoin the FIVB before the 31^st FIVB World Congress in Dubai on June 16. The NOC of Chad will be notified.

The FIVB World Grand Champions Cup 2009 has been confirmed for November 10-15 for Women and November 18-23 for Men. The Board approved the dates and countries for the next Junior and Youth World Championships in 2009, too. The Junior Men’s is scheduled for July 8-19 in France, Junior Women’s July 22 to August 2 in Mexico, Girls’ Youth August 5-16 in India, and Boys’ Youth August 19-30 in Italy.