CEV President attends event marking 80 years since Italian Federation was founded in Bologna

CEV President Roko Sikirić was among a series of distinguished guests and dignitaries to attend a ceremony held on Tuesday in Bologna whereby the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) started the celebrations for their 80th anniversary. At the same time, memories and emotional moments followed swiftly as the inductees into the FIPAV Volleyball Hall of Fame – Class of 2025 were announced as well. 

The choice of Bologna for this event was no coincidence. This is exactly where 80 years ago the Italian Volleyball Federation was officially established – at the time counting 310 players, 67 clubs and some 38 referees – and no officially recognised coaches! Italian Volleyball has come a long way since those rather humble early days amassing an unparalleled number of major achievements, including women’s Olympic gold in 2024 and a double World Championship crown last year with both their women’s and men’s national teams. To mark the day, the Italian Volleyball Federation – in close cooperation with their partners at the Istituto Poligrafico and Zecca dello Stato – did also unveil the design of a special commemorative silver coin.    

Taking the floor after the FIPAV President, Giuseppe Manfredi, and FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, Mr Sikirić said while addressing the audience in Italian: “I am very happy to be able to share this wonderful moment and event with you all. I extend the warmest greetings and congratulations from the whole European Volleyball family. The Italian Volleyball Federation has achieved unparalleled success with their senior and age-group teams and they represent a role model for many members of our Volleyball community. I would like to celebrate the past but also to look ahead – as I am convinced that we will continue to work closely together to further develop and grow our beloved sport.” 

The new inductees into the FIPAV Hall of Fame – a project that has been running for 10 years now – include former elite players such as Maurizia Cacciatori and Franco Bertoli, distinguished managers such as the very first FIPAV President Arnaldo Eynard and one of his successors Pietro Florio (FIPAV President from 1977 to 1988), three-time Beach Volleyball European champion Laura Bruschini, former referee Giulio La Manna, the late Daniele Bagnoli – a coach who achieved major successes with elite clubs and national teams as well – plus the late Roman official Renato Ammannito. 

With emotional videos reviewing their accomplishments as well as highlights from 80 years of Italian Volleyball history, the event in Bologna set the tone for the celebrations to continue throughout 2026 across the whole country, and reaching their climax with the CEV EuroVolley 2026 Men – including an open-air opening match in Napoli on September 10 – and an unprecedented All Star Game scheduled for December featuring the Italian women’s and men’s national teams and a selection of the world’s best players standing on the other side of the net. 

“It was a very emotional moment for us – even though so much has happened throughout the past 80 years, the Italian Volleyball Federation does not stop moving forward, we do not rest on our laurels and look with optimism at what lies ahead. Our many colleagues from across the country working at the grassroots level to grow the sport are a treasure that we cherish and I am especially happy that so many of them are with us here today,” said FIPAV President Giuseppe Manfredi. “I would also like to thank all local authorities approaching us for the implementation of joint projects as well as all the sponsors and partners for their continued support.”