FIVB’s new global leader

The Cook Islands has played its part in the first-ever democratic election of the new Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) president.

The FIVB Congress was held in Anaheim, California and saw Volleyball Cook Islands president Hugh Graham attend and vote on the fourth president and the first-ever democratically elected leader.

Brazilian Ary Graca secured the vote by the smallest of minorities. Needing more than 50 percent of the 204 legitimate votes cast by secret ballot, the head of the Brazilian Volleyball Federation and South American Confederation picked up 103 votes to secure the position.

USA Volleyball chief executive Doug Beal was the next closest with 86 votes.

Graham said the meeting was “full on” but was very fruitful.

“For me it was not so much overwhelming, but it was a good congress meeting in that I made a lot of contacts, especially within our own area in terms of Oceania,” Graham said.

The remainder of the 11 executive members of the global sporting body were announced, as were the 29 people elected onto the new FIVB administration board.