News - Page 43 of 136

School tournament organised in Albania to celebrate Independence Day

by Press 01/12/2023

written by Press

Earlier this week, Albania celebrated their Independence Day and in conjunction with this occasion many sports and cultural activities traditionally take place in schools and other institutions across the Balkan country. The Albanian Volleyball Federation seized this opportunity to organise a friendly tournament involving school pupils and to further promote the CEV School Project ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with it’.

The event was held in the city of Rrëshen, with participation of four teams from Lezhë, Rrëshen and Lac, each consisting of at least 15 girls, thus accounting for more than 60 pupils overall involved in the activity. Each game lasted for two sets and all the girls were excited and happy with the experience. Many spectators, mostly locals and parents of the girls competing, attended the matches as well in a very friendly and festive atmosphere.

01/12/2023 0 comments

Ground-breaking moment for CEV School Project in Kosovo through inclusion of people with disabilities

by Press 30/11/2023

written by Press

During the past month, the CEV School Project ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with It’ witnessed remarkable developments in Kosovo, particularly focussing on the inclusion of people with disabilities and fostering enthusiasm for Volleyball within the local community in Gjakova.

In an emotionally charged initiative organised in Gjakova, the Kosovo Volleyball Federation collaborated with a local youth volunteer association. Approximately 15 individuals with disabilities actively participated in volleyball activities, thus becoming an integral part of the project. Around 40 other children, with open hearts, assisted these individuals to engage with and enjoy Volleyball.

This wonderful activity not only provided a unique experience for the participants but also opened doors for other such projects to follow, aiming for greater inclusion of people with disabilities in the sport.

The participation of children was highly enthusiastic, with the kids displaying endless smiles and feeling themselves an essential part of a shared community.

At the end of the activity, each participant received a special medal donated by CEV, symbolising recognition for their commitment and the importance of collaboration in sports.

Earlier this month, the team of the Kosovo Volleyball Federation also visited primary schools in Pëja, meeting there with over 100 children and some eight physical education teachers from schools such as Asdreni, Xhemajl Kada, Skenderbeu, and others. Teachers and children expressed deep interest in the CEV School Project and were encouraged to join to benefit from the advantages of playing Volleyball in their physical and personal development.

November marked a significant step towards inclusion and improvement of Volleyball within Kosovo. The Kosovo Volleyball Federation will continue to pursue their aim to create an inclusive, welcoming, and encouraging environment for everyone.

30/11/2023 0 comments

Bulgaria Main

School Project activities resume in Bulgaria with successful visit to Smolyan

by Press 07/11/2023

written by Press

With a visit to the city of Smolyan, the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BVF) has re-started its work for the delivery of the CEV School Project ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with it’. After a short break due to the summer holidays, the initiative to popularise Volleyball among students enjoyed a huge interest among the students of the Vasil Levski high school in Smolyan.

The cozy and spacious sports hall of PPMG Vasil Levski gives local children a wonderful opportunity to practice the beautiful game with a ball, and local students seized the chance to show their skills to the representatives of the BVF. “The infrastructure in Smolyan is suitable for sports, and the hall is incredible,” said an elated David Davidov, BVF Vice-President. “The stadiums, the swimming pool and the Velichko Cholakov sports hall are also at a very high level. Smolyan is in no way inferior to other cities in Bulgaria. There is a strong relationship between students and volleyball clubs here.” One of the goals of the CEV School Project is to help clubs find and nurture new talent.

“Dear citizens of Rhodope, as a representative of the BVF, I am glad that I can partner with an active municipality such as Smolyan. The city has a wonderful sports base, your children are studious and show a good attitude towards sports and Volleyball in particular. Smolyan is a place where all our initiatives are successful and I hope to continue working with the mayor and the municipality for the future development of the city.”

Lubomir Ganev
President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation

Maria Ilieva, director of PPMG Vasil Levski, thanked the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation for hosting a stop of the national tour run under the slogan ‘With Volleyball at School’. She pointed out that the students are excellent athletes along with showing very good results in their studies.

The deputy mayor of the city, Marin Zahariev, thanked the volleyball coaches and the physical education teachers for their efforts to motivate local kids to play sports.

“With joint efforts and a good sports base, I hope we can put Smolyan on the sports map,” said Zahariev. Stanislav Nikolov and Nikolay Ivanov, members of the Board of Directors at the BVF, were also present in Smolyan, as well as Nikola Zapryanov, head of the RUO (Regional Directorates of Education) together with Teodora Shtereva, who is responsible for the sports activities run by RUO, athletes and activists.

One of the main missions of the CEV School Project is to make children understand that education and sports can go hand in hand. The BVF has set as its main goal the work with adolescents, which shall lead to improved performance by the national teams at age-group competitions. Several schools which are already involved in the project have started inviting coaches who attended the CEV Coaches Convention held earlier this year in Sofia so that they can share their valuable experience with an increasing number of children.

07/11/2023 0 comments

Main Montenegro

Seventh edition of EKO Mini Volleyball League breaks all participation records!

by Press 25/10/2023

written by Press

Almost 900 young players are due to contest the seventh edition of the EKO Mini Volleyball League run by the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro (OSCG). The start of this seventh campaign for youngsters from across the Balkan country was attended not only by representatives of the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro but also by national hero, 2000 Olympic gold medallist Igor Vušurović, national team players Viktoria Đukić and Danilo Dubak, as well as officials from the Ministry of Sports of Montenegro, and the company Jugopetrol.

The seventh edition of the EKO Mini Volleyball League, which is organised in conjunction with the CEV School Project ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with it’, has already broken all records in terms of mass participation. The season started on Sunday, October 22, with participation of as many as 873 children and 73 teams representing 18 volleyball clubs from all over Montenegro!

The league, which is open to children aged nine to 13, is run with the precious sponsorship from Jugopetrol AD and support from the European Volleyball Confederation, the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Montenegro, the Montenegrin National Olympic Committee, and the Capital City of Podgorica. The project’s primary goal is to promote and popularise Volleyball in Montenegro with a focus on the young generations.

The Volleyball Federation of Montenegro covers all the costs resulting from the delivery of the matches and has also donated balls and jerseys to all the participants.

Mr Nikola Kažić, Director of the national teams of the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro, handed over the balls to the teams of Mediteran, Barbane, and Ivangrad 2011. Mrs Sara Ivanović Božović, Marketing Manager of Jugopetrol AD, presented balls to the clubs Tempo, Akademija, Albatros, and Mrkojevići. Moreover, Igor Vušurović, winner of an Olympic gold medal at Sydney 2000 with the former Yugoslavia and now Secretary General of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, presented balls to the teams of Morača and Net.

A representative of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Ms Ana Milačić, handed over balls to Lovćen and Libero from Cetinje. Viktorija Đukić, the setter of the Montenegrin women’s senior national team, did just the same with the recipients being the teams of Gimnazijalac, Herceg Novi, and Gorštak. Finally, Danilo Dubak, who plays as a setter for the men’s senior national team, presented balls to Mornar, Nikšić, Top Volley, and Budućnost Volley.

The Volleyball Federation of Montenegro will provide medals for all participants at the closing event, which is planned for May 2024, because when playing Volleyball, everyone is a winner!

25/10/2023 0 comments