CEV President hails historic visit to Greenland

CEV President Roko Sikirić, accompanied by CEV Vice President Annika Sjöberg and Volleyball Coordinator François Watthez recently travelled to Greenland for a truly unprecedented visit to the local Volleyball family. Never before had a sitting CEV President travelled this far and taken the time to meet with members of the Volleyball community as well as with high-ranking authorities. 

“Beyond the historical significance, this visit was a clear reflection of something I strongly believe in: no National Federation should ever be left behind,” the CEV President commented. “European Volleyball belongs to every member of our family, regardless of geography, size, or circumstances. Therefore, this visit was, above all, a gesture of respect and gratitude. I wanted to show our respect for the Greenlandic Volleyball Federation for their outstanding work despite the unique challenges they face, and our gratitude for their continued commitment, perseverance, and contribution to our sport. It was equally a recognition of the athletes who continue to grow Volleyball with such remarkable passion and pride,” he continued. 

“I was particularly proud to see Greenland reach an important milestone, i.e. featuring for the first time in both the World and European rankings. This is a significant achievement and a testament to the progress that has been made. It was especially inspiring to visit Ilulissat, where we witnessed young athletes competing, and to spend time in Nuuk with the women’s national team, attending their match and experiencing first-hand the passion for Volleyball in Greenland,” the President said. 

The event held in Ilulissat was an U12/U14 competition known as Aalasa Cup 2026. It involved as many as 16 teams from the cities from Ilulissat, Qasigiannguit, Aasiaat, Sisimiut and even the small settlement Kangaamiut, which has a population of less than 300.  
 
“Beyond the court, it was equally important to meet with key stakeholders, including Nivi Olsen, the Minister for Education, Culture, Sports and Church, and with Claus Nielsen, Chairman of the Sports Confederation of Greenland, to discuss how we can continue supporting the development of Volleyball in Greenland. My sincere thanks to the Greenlandic Volleyball Federation for their warm hospitality, dedication, and friendship,” the CEV President concluded.