Dr. Rubén Acosta receiving trophy in Mexico City.

Mexico City, Mexico, March 7, 2005 - Televisa, the largest television company in Mexico and one of the most powerful in Latin America, paid tribute to Dr. Rubén Acosta, FIVB President, last week, for his contribution to the development of sport in Mexico and around the globe.

The Televisa Sports Awards began to be presented six years ago. With these awards, Televisa honours top sports figures for their achievements, and encourages new generations to look to these luminaries as an example.

In addition to honouring athletes, Televisa has also created a special trophy to pay tribute to people whose work and influence have helped develop sport within and outside Mexico. For these sixth annual awards ceremony, the country's leading sports personalities were present to honour the most outstanding athletes and officials at the national and global level.

The ceremony took place at the Teatro de la Ciudad, one of the oldest and most beautiful theatres in Mexico City. Among the people who attracted the greatest attention was International Volleyball Federation President Rubén Acosta, widely considered to be among the most important sports leaders in the world. Dr. Acosta was invited in recognition of his universally renowned accomplishments in developing the sport of Volleyball since he joined the FIVB.

Numerous Mexican sports personalities were among the guests present at the ceremony, whose highlight came when Victor Estrada - an emblematic sports figure who was Mexico's first Olympic medal winner in taekwondo - presented Dr. Rubén Acosta with a trophy in recognition of his career accomplishments.

Before presenting him with the trophy, Victor Estrada reviewed Dr. Acosta's achievements at the head of the FIVB, one of the largest sports federations in the world with 218 affiliates. Upon receiving his award, President Acosta expressed his thanks and indicated his determination to continue raising his beloved Volleyball to the highest ranks of world sports.