On the sidelines of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, a meeting was held between Mehrez Boussayene, member of the International Olympic Committee and president of the Tunisian National Olympic Committee, and Fabio Azevedo, president of the International Volleyball Federation. The meeting, which took place on November 3, 2026, in Dakar, also included Bouchra Hajij, president of the African Volleyball Confederation, and other officials from the FIVB. The discussions focused on strengthening the partnership between the FIVB and the Tunisian Volleyball Federation.
The meeting was an opportunity for Boussayene and Azevedo to discuss the prospects of cooperation between the two organizations, following Tunisia's recent qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The Tunisian team earned their spot after winning the African championship title. Azevedo congratulated Tunisia on their achievement and expressed the FIVB's willingness to support the development of volleyball in Tunisia. The two officials also explored opportunities for cooperation in areas such as equipment, team preparation, technical training, and beach volleyball development.
The discussions allowed both parties to identify areas of cooperation and support that could benefit the Tunisian volleyball team. The FIVB officials expressed their commitment to helping Tunisia develop its volleyball program. Boussayene thanked Azevedo and Hajij for their support and engagement in promoting volleyball in Tunisia. The meeting highlighted the importance of international cooperation and sports diplomacy in promoting the development of national sports federations and athletes.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Hitesh Malhotra, responsible for the Volleyball Empowerment program and relations with national federations, and Anna Manuelian, responsible for international affairs and communication at the FIVB. Their presence underscored the FIVB's commitment to supporting its member federations and promoting the development of volleyball worldwide.
Tunisia's qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is a significant achievement for the country's volleyball team. The team's success has sparked renewed interest in the sport, and the cooperation with the FIVB is expected to help further develop volleyball in Tunisia. The meeting between Boussayene and Azevedo marked an important step in strengthening the partnership between the two organizations.
The cooperation between the FIVB and the Tunisian Volleyball Federation is expected to have a positive impact on the development of volleyball in Tunisia. The FIVB's support will help the Tunisian team prepare for future international competitions and promote the sport at the grassroots level. The meeting also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in promoting sports development and athlete success.
The meeting between Boussayene and Azevedo demonstrated the commitment of both parties to promoting volleyball in Tunisia and supporting the country's athletes. The cooperation between the FIVB and the Tunisian Volleyball Federation is a positive step towards developing the sport in Tunisia and achieving future success.
Key points
- Tunisia's volleyball team qualifies for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics after winning African championship title.
- FIVB expresses willingness to support development of volleyball in Tunisia.
- Cooperation between FIVB and Tunisian Volleyball Federation expected to promote sports development and athlete success.
