FIVB VFI recognition revoked as FIVB and IOA set up steering committee for India

The FIVB has revoked the Volleyball Federation of India’s recognition with immediate effect, citing breaches of legal and administrative requirements. A joint steering committee with representatives from the FIVB and the Indian Olympic Association will oversee volleyball activities to maintain continuity and prioritise athlete welfare, following concerns raised by players about facilities and selection.

World volleyball body FIVB has withdrawn the Volleyball Federation of India’s recognition with immediate effect. The move follows claims of poor camp conditions and selection disputes. FIVB said India’s interim VFI leadership did not meet required legal and administrative standards. A new panel will oversee the sport during the transition.

FIVB said the decision was taken under Articles 1.5.3 and 1.9.1 of its General Regulations. "In accordance with Articles 1.5.3 and 1.9.1 of the FIVB General Regulations, the FIVB Board of Administration has determined that the legal and administrative requirements established by the FIVB have not been respected by the interim leadership of the Volleyball Federation of India VFI,\" the statement said.

FIVB recognition and Steering Committee for Indian volleyball

FIVB said VFI’s provisional status ended immediately. \"As such, the VFIs provisional recognition has been revoked with immediate effect, granting temporary administrative competence to a Steering Committee – comprising representatives from the FIVB and the Indian Olympic Association – to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of volleyball activities in India.\" FIVB added that athlete welfare remained its main focus.

The Steering Committee was tasked with maintaining stable administration during the interim period. FIVB said the panel must handle court-mandated areas. These include setting up an Athletes Commission and holding State Association elections. The panel must also align the VFI Constitution with relevant legal and governance rules.

FIVB said the panel would also address selection and performance planning. It will work on transparent, merit-based national team selection. The committee will coordinate national and international events. It will also provide technical and high-performance help via the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme, including international coaching support.

FIVB recognition and funding plan for Indian volleyball

FIVB said the Empowerment programme would include financial support in 2026. Under the plan, FIVB will provide USD 258,000 in 2026. The money is meant for athlete support and national team development. The support covers both genders and different disciplines in India.

Until Tuesday, VFI work was already under oversight by a steering committee with IOA and FIVB officials. The world body had granted only eight months of interim recognition. That recognition was linked to meeting administrative conditions. FIVB now said those norms were not met by the interim leadership.

The Steering Committee included IOA Executive Council member Rohit Rajpal and CEO Raghuram lyer. It also included FIVB General Sports Director Steve Tutton. FIVB Head of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Stephen Bock was named. Hitesh Malhotra was also listed as a member.

FIVB recognition amid India camp issues and player exits

Indian volleyball faced unrest on April 12 after two senior players left the national camp in Ahmedabad. The players raised concerns about coaching quality and camp facilities. They also objected to the removal of foreign coach Dragan Mihailovic. They alleged politics influenced selection decisions.

Libero Anand K and middle-blocker John Joseph quit after a confidential message to the Indian Olympic Association was leaked. The message sought better conditions at the Sports Authority of India SAI centre in Ahmedabad. The players said the leak reached VFI. VFI denied the allegations and called it politics.

Anand described pressure after the communication became known. Anand said they were told to apologise and withdraw seven to eight e-mails. The players refused despite fears of punishment. \"Its going to be terrible for our careers but the fact is we shouldnt have to play like this. There is no analysis, no recovery, the coaches dont know anything, they are living in the 1950s. The one who was making a difference Dragan Mihailovic of Serbia has been removed for no clear reason.\"

Anand linked the issues to India’s recent progress and future goals. \"We were an unranked team but last year at the Central Asian Volleyball Association CAVA tournament in Uzbekistan, we finished runners-up. We need to improve, every country is developing but we are going down by doing things like this.\" Anand added that others shared concerns but stayed silent. \"Everyone in the camp feels the same but they are unwilling to speak like John and I, he added.\"

VFI said it did not know the two players had left the camp. VFI also denied that any coercion took place. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad is set to host the Asian Volleyball Confederation AVC Mens Cup. The event runs from June 20 to 28 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura, with 12 nations expected.

With inputs from PTI