CEV President and Latvia’s Prime Minister emphasise positive role sport can play in an increasingly divided world

As he continues to travel extensively across Europe to liaise with members of the Volleyball family and to promote the sport at the highest level, CEV President Roko Sikirić spent a couple of days in Latvia, with the programme featuring a productive meeting with the Prime Minister of the Baltic country, Evika Silina. 

In their conversations, the parties emphasised the truly special and unique role that sport can play in a divided and rather polarised world such as the reality we find ourselves in and we are confronted with almost on a daily basis. The CEV President stressed the power and ability that sport has to unite, inspire, build bridges and spread a sense of community, while obviously fostering a healthy lifestyle, which is especially important for the younger generations. In a time of global uncertainty and division, sport provides much-needed stability and positive energy.

In his meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Sikirić recalled the unprecedented success achieved by Latvian athletes especially in Beach Volleyball, while the indoor version of the game continues to develop steadily as well. An opportunity to further elevate the profile of the sport in Latvia is represented by the 2028 edition of the CEV EuroVolley Men, for which the Latvian Volleyball Federation has shown an interest to contribute as a co-organiser.  

The CEV President expressed his gratitude to the Latvian government for the support they provide to sport in the country, with Latvia playing a key role in the continued growth of European Volleyball through their elite athletes, many promising youngsters, and highly qualified officials and leaders. 

Photos courtesy of Gatis Rozenfelds/State Chancellery