FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° recognised for immense global contribution to humanitarian causes through volleyball

FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° has been awarded the prestigious Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Humanitarian Award 2024 and Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) for his immense contributions to humanitarian causes through volleyball worldwide, marking the first time a single individual has received both honours simultaneously.

The KISS Humanitarian Award recognises individuals whose contributions to humanitarian causes have made a lasting global impact. Previous recipients include Bill Gates (2023) and His Holiness the Dalai Lama (2017). Meanwhile, the KIIT Doctor of Letters, whose past recipients include several Nobel Prize winners, honours Dr Ary S. Graça F°’s efforts in advancing the growth and development of volleyball globally.

Dr Ary S. Graça F° has long championed volleyball as a tool for positive social change, working tirelessly to extend the sport's reach across the globe. Under his leadership, the FIVB has launched numerous initiatives aimed at player and team development. At the elite level, the revolutionary FIVB Volleyball Empowerment and Development programmes have empowered national teams around the world to reach their full potential.

At the grassroots and mass participation levels, the FIVB Volleyball Foundation uses the global reach and power of volleyball to support community projects worldwide that have a positive impact. Launched this year under Dr Ary S. Graça F°’s vision for expanding volleyball’s impact, he also serves as the President of the Volleyball Foundation.

In his acceptance speech, the FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° said:

“I am truly grateful for the support of KISS to the Foundation as it serves the world through volleyball. I hope to continue our collaboration for many years to come.

“It has been the honour of my life to help provide opportunities through volleyball, and this award only strengthens my passion to continue this work, together with my friends in the global Volleyball Family.”

The awarding ceremonies took place after the hugely successful KISS Volleyball Foundation Festival, run in partnership with the Volleyball Foundation and KIIT. The mass participation festival set a new Guinness World Record for the most players in an indoor volleyball exhibition match, with 430 participants in a single game. The festival also brought together over 5,000 children to enjoy volleyball activities across 60 outdoor courts, with a total of 40,000 children participating in the event.