Arnis Tunte takes over leadership of Latvian Volleyball family

This past Saturday, January 11, the only candidate standing for the leadership of the Latvian Volleyball Federation (LVF), Mr Arnis Tunte, was unanimously elected by the 47 delegates attending the General Assembly held at the Rimi Olympic Centre. 

“My first aim is to achieve improvements in our office work, I want to make sure that every job in the Latvian Volleyball Federation grows in relevance. At the same time, I am grateful to everyone who gave all their strength to contribute to our work this far. Attracting private funding is important. The LVF now has ten sufficiently powerful council members who will be able to contribute to this area. We shall focus on our youth. We need to educate coaches so that there are more available to train our children. There are halls, children, regions, but there is a lack of certified coaches. I want more youth festivals like the ones organised in conjunction with the Latvian Cup in recent years. I want something similar in Beach Volleyball too,” Tunte listed his priorities.

says the new LVF President with much ambition.

Tunte, who was nominated for the position of LVF President by 17 members, served as LVF Secretary General from October 1, 2021, to August 31, 2024, while also leading the LVF Board of Directors. Earlier in his career, he claimed medals in Beach Volleyball at the Latvian youth and adult championships, and upon Tunte’s initiative, the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOK) helped deliver the President’s Cup “King of the Beach” at the iconic Dome Square as part of the Riga Beach Volleyball Week. He previously worked in the Federation as a member of the Beach Volleyball Commission, managed the volleyball team RTU/Robežsardze and until the Tokyo Olympics was also the manager of the duo Mārtiņš Pļaviņš/Edgars Točs – the team finished the postponed Olympic Games in fourth place. He currently runs the O-Sands Beach Volleyball Centre in Riga.

The delegates attending the General Assembly confirmed the 10 members of the LVF Board of Directors as well. These are Arnis Tunte, Rita Auziņa, Rita Sproģe, Tamāra Robežniece, Artūrs Plūme, Egils Lapsalis, Jānis Buks, Atis Sausnītis, Mareks Mamajs, and Ralfs Kļaviņš.

The former LVF President Egils Lapsalis, who was elected to the position on January 13, 2024, will remain involved in Volleyball while looking after his business as a member of the LVF Board of Directors. 

The meeting also approved the report of LVF Secretary General Arturs Vitkovskis for 2024 and an overview of 2025, approved the LVF auditor, made amendments to the LVF statutes, and outlined the LVF plans to ensure a bright future for the sport across the Baltic country.