FIVB President receives award from the President of Serbia and Montenegro

Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, July 9, 2005 - The FIVB President Dr Rubén H. Acosta, has been awarded with the Ordain of Nemanja’s Order by the President of State Federation of Serbia and Montenegro, Mr Svetozar Marovic. The ceremony was held on Saturday at noon in the heart of Belgrade, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro.

President Marovic presented this exceptional distinction to the FIVB President ”for his contribution to the development of world Volleyball and extraordinary cooperation with the Volleyball Federation of Serbia and Montenegro”. During the ceremony, the Ordain of Nemanja’s Order has been handed over to Dr Ruben H. Acosta by Mr Vuk Drašković, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro. ”Volleyball has become very popular all around the world and especially in my country. This award is presented to you in gratitude to special merits and the full support to the development of Volleyball in Serbia and Montenegro“, said Minister Drašković. The wife of the FIVB President, Mrs Malú Acosta, and different personalities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took part in the ceremony.

Very touched by this gesture, Dr Acosta underlined the great efforts made by Serbia and Montenegro, in order to promote the values of Volleyball all over the country. ”This award is a great honour for me. With all of my heart, I wish full success to the Volleyball team of Serbia and Montenegro. I would like to pay homage to the President Svetozar Marovic and to the wonderful athletes of this country,” Dr Acosta added.

The Ordain of Nemanja’s Order is the highest official award in Serbia and Montenegro. One thousand years ago, Nemanja founded the State of Serbia. He is considered as a saint in the orthodox religion.

On Saturday evening, the FIVB President will have a meeting with Mr Nenad Bogdanovic, Lord Mayor of the City of Belgrade. On Sunday, before the start of the World League Finals last matches, Dr Acosta will take part in the official reception offered by the President of the Republic of Serbia, Mr Boris Tadic.

Pic: (left) Mr. Vuk Draskovic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro, Dr. Rubén Acosta and his wife Malu Acosta and Aleksandar Boricic, President of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia and Montenegro