Opening Ceremony
The devastating earthquake last spring damaged the previous headquarters of the Croatian Volleyball Federation which has since operated from temporary offices. The opening of the new office was a reason why Croatia was visited by FIVB president Ary Graca and CEV President Aleksandar Boričić.
‘’If you have a nice office, you feel pride. If you feel pride, you work and build a strong national team. This is what I said to the Croatian prime minister yesterday; you must have good national teams because your people are very tall. FIVB is here to give support and I believe you will have a team on the podium in four years!’’ – stated Ary Graca after he officially opened the new CVF office, while Mr. Boričić added:
‘’This office is amazing and these are great working conditions, now you need results in the field. I expect the Croatian women’s volleyball team to go through into the second round of upcoming EuroVolley and I am sure they will achieve a good result!’’
Ary Graca
New and modern office sprawls on over 350m2. Amongst first it was visited by State secretary of sport Tomislav Družak, Director of Sports Division at the Ministry of tourism and sport Krešimir Šamija, president of Croatian Olympic Committee Zlatko Mateša, scientist Dragan Primorac, captain of the Croatian women’s volleyball national team Samanta Fabris and Board member of CEV and FIVB Zdeslav Barač.
‘’I love this new office, it’s functional and rational. This is for sure a great foundation for the development of volleyball in Croatia!’’ – said State secretary of sport Tomislav Družak and president of Croatian Olympic Committee Zlatko Mateša stated: ‘’Arrival of key people of European and global volleyball is an indicator enough how important this event is. This is a demonstration of respect for volleyball, and of desire for our volleyball to achieve better results!’’
Opening Ceremony
Guests were welcomed by the president of Croatian Volleyball Federation Ante Baković, alongside vice-president Petar Sprčić, Secretary-General Valentina Bifflin and CVF board member Vlado Bagarić.
‘’Our old office was completely destroyed in the earthquake and since that day we were boarders in search of an ideal headquarters. Four months ago we started refurbishing this office which is today beautiful. This is a pre-condition to working better and I believe our players will soon make us very happy!’’ – said the president of the Croatian Volleyball Federation Ante Baković.
A new office
Captain of the Croatian women’s volleyball national team Samanta Fabris also enjoyed the new office of CVF:
‘’I am happy to be here, this is a lovely home for all of us players. The only thing missing is a new trophy! Women’s team is getting together after more than a year, and we are happy to see each other again, but also to play Golden league and European championship!’’
The new office was furnished with the financial help of CEV, with the support of the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Croatian Olympic Committee and the City of Zagreb.
