Porto, Portugal, May 9, 2004 – The President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Dr. Rubén Acosta and Portuguese Secretary of State for Youth and Sport Dr. Herminio Loureiro opened the new headquarters of the Portuguese Volleyball Federation (FPV) in Porto on Sunday in the company of members of the FIVB Executive Committee and local dignitaries and celebrities including the Mayor of Porto Dr. Rui Rio, the President of the national Olympic Committee Commandant José Vicente Moura and among others former Olympic and world marathon champion Ms. Rosa Mota.

Dr Acosta congratulated FPV President Mr. Vicente Araujo on the new premises and recalled; “When I met Mr. Araujo 15 years ago he had nothing but a dream,” Dr Acosta said. “It was to raise the level of Volleyball in Portugal and make Portuguese Volleyball one of the best Federations in Europe. Now, I believe he has succeeded and this new venue is in recognition of the work he has done with this Federation.

“This Federation is an example for all the other Federations in the Volleyball family.”

Mr Araujo, who is also an FIVB Executive member and has been FPV President for eight years, paid tribute to the team effort in making the new premises a reality.

“Without the help of all the friends, family, sponsors and supporters of Portuguese Volleyball this would never have been possible,” he said. “I am proud to be here today to witness this moment where Volleyball in Portugal starts another exciting new path.”

Dr. Loureiro was equally pleased with the progress of Portuguese Volleyball and the influence it has had on the local society. “Volleyball is a wonderful sport,” he said. “Because it offers equal opportunities to both men and women”. 

With the start of the 29^th World Congress, also in Porto, less than three days away and a World Olympic Qualification tournament starting on May 21, the new headquarters signals the start of a golden period for Portuguese Volleyball in which the national men’s team hopes to qualify for the Athens Olympics in August.