FIVB keen to invest in the National team, wants to see India in the Olympics

Foreign coach and more international events to be held in the country

The FIVB, volleyball’s World body, is closely watching the RuPay Prime Volleyball League in India and is thrilled with the drama and the fan craze surrounding the event. It it now taking steps to help India grow in the sport and join the planet’s top teams.

“The world is watching and appreciating the PVL, we are receiving so many messages from all around the world appreciating the job that you are doing in your country,” said Fabio Azevedo, the FIVB general director, ahead of the PVL final here on Sunday.

“From the FIVB side, to help the system become stronger, we want to invest in your national team mainly. We had a great meeting two days ago in New Delhi with your National Olympic Committee (Indian Olympic Association).

“We do believe in your national team, we want to dream big. We want to see India playing the next World Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We are all working for that and we have the full support of these amazing team of professionals and we have the full support of the NOC.”

That could see the arrival of an experienced foreign coach in India and the FIVB offering its expertise on infrastructure for players and how national teams should be selected.

“What is important to the needs of the country....an international head coach with lots of experience, that’s the first step. Secondly, we are talking about statisticians, psychologists, trainers and everything else that we need for a team to perform better,” said Azevedo, replying to questions from The Hindu.

India, which will host the FIVB Club World Championship in December, could see more international events coming its way.