Cairo, Egypt, May 10, 2012- The 53 National Federations of the African Volleyball Confederation “CAVB” endorsed their support to the candidacy of Brazilian Dr. Ary da Silva Graça as the next FIVB President for the period 2012-2016 following the last CAVB Board of Administration.

During the Board, CAVB president Dr Amr Elwani declared the agreement he attended with the FIVB Vice Presidents Dr. Saleh Bin Nasser of Saudi Arabia, Cristobal Marte Hoffiz of Dominican Republic and Graça who preside over the African, Asian, Norceca and South American Confederations respectively where they adopted their decision following a series of meetings to fully support Graça to lead the World Volleyball for the next Mandate.

 The four confederations constitute 166 NFs out of the total 220 affiliated NFs at the FIVB.

 CAVB Zonal Presidents agreed with Elwani for the support of Graça and praised the capabilities of the Brazilian as the ideal person to lead FIVB for the next period and committed to work together to ensure the equity and equal opportunities for all Continental Confederations in the FIVB decisions making, participation in the different working bodies and, above all, the equitable participation of teams from all confederations in the world events of FIVB.

 The African NFs are also happy to guarantee through their zones the development of volleyball and beach volleyball specially Category 1 and 2 which constitute 47 out of 53 African counties which meet the interest and ambition of Graça.

Graça, 68, was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1943. He obtained a Doctor in Law Degree from the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro and began his professional career as lawyer in 1966. He was a former player of the Brazilian National Team in the 60’s and 70’s.  

 Elwani said that the four confederation presidents put the future plan that can be achieved through the unity of the different National Federations all over the world specially category 1 and 2 which need more developmental support

 He added that the whole African continent will go one hand during the FIVB Congress to support Graça.