It seems that the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) has gone off script this year. In an unforeseen turn of events, the governing body for European volleyball is extending a substantial financial boost to one of its championship hosts, Israel. The move, revealed by sports media and a post on the Israeli Volleyball Federation page, has roused interest and speculation amongst European volleyball community.
While typical protocol requires host countries to provide the funding for staging such events, the CEV has decided to donate a staggering €1,500,000 to ensure the smooth running of the EuroVolley 2023 Group D stages in Israel. This is in contrast to the other host nations – Bulgaria, Italy, and North Macedonia, who reportedly forked out between €600,000 and €2,000,000 for the organization of the championship.
Rumours of financial difficulties had previously hinted at Israel withdrawing from its hosting duties. However, this generous offer from CEV has shored up the tournament’s foundation, solidifying the continuation of the group matches. Rina Dor, president of the Israel Volleyball Association, expressed gratitude towards the Minister of Culture and Sports and the CEV, promising to meet international standards for the event.
The decision to fund Israel’s hosting was settled during a meeting attended by CEV Vice President Renato Arena and the European Confederation’s Managing Director, Thorsten Endres.
Notably, this surprising move comes just before the upcoming elections for the new CEV president, as current incumbent Aleksandar Boričić is due to leave his position after his second term.
The forthcoming European Championship, scheduled from August 28 to September 16, will now go ahead as planned. France, Greece, Portugal, Romania, and Turkey will join the host nation in the Group D matches in Israel.
The move has not been without controversy, with some insiders questioning the timing and motives behind this generosity. However, for now, volleyball fans can rest easy knowing that the championship will proceed as planned, and the vibrant sports scene in Israel will remain a buzzing center for European volleyball.
