President Of The International Volleyball Federation: Indonesia Has The Best Volleyball Development Center In The World

Ary da Silva Graca Filho (fourth from the front left) along with other stakeholders visited the Development Center in Indonesia at the Volleyball Padepokan General Kunarto in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, Thursday (16/3/2023). (Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Ary da Silva Graca Filho visited the Volleyball Padepokan General Kunarto in Sentul, on Thursday, March 16. Chairman of the Central Executive of the Indonesian Volleyball Association (PP PBVSI) Imam Sudjarwo and his staff welcomed their arrival.

Apart from FIVB officials, during the visit there were also officials of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), such as AVC President Rita Subowo and AVC Secretary General Kiattipong Radchatagengkai.

After seeing the location, Ary da Silva Graca Filho said Indonesia has the best volleyball development center in the world. Volleyball development center General Kunarto is one of the FIVB Development Centers in the world. Other countries that are the centers for volleyball coaching and training include Thailand, Bahrain, India, and the Dominican Republic.

"I can say Development Center in Indonesia is one of the best in the world. It's very good for a volleyball development site," said Ary Graca in his statement, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, March 18.

Ary Graca added, the facilities there are very supportive for the players to train. To advance volleyball in Indonesia, FIVB will also provide assistance such as training by bringing in technical and physical instructors from FIVB.

"We welcome the training base of the Indonesian national team as the Center of Excellence. The existing facilities are both for the players and coaches and we will also provide additional equipment as part of our support if needed. The Indonesian Volleyball Development Center will be the main facility to develop Indonesian volleyball talent," concluded Ary Graca.

The Indonesian Volleyball Development Center has also been named the Center of Excellence and will receive annual support from the FIVB of US$20,000 (around Rp307.5 million).

Meanwhile, Head of PP PBVSI Achievement and Development Division Heyzer Harsono said the assistance provided by FIVB to Indonesia was long-term training.

"FIVB will assist Indonesia in long-term training, the target is for the men's team to enter the 2032 Olympics, if they cannot enter the upcoming 2028 Olympics," said Heyzer.

The long-term training, continued Heyzer, includes providing funds as well as coaches. "In essence, once again, it helps us for long-term training. During that time, there were coaches from FIVB, both technical and physical," he concluded.

To note, the Volleyball Padepokan General Kunarto had an area of 57,000 square meters which was inaugurated in 1995 by the then President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Juan Antonio Samaranch.

The field, which was used as the location for the 2021 Proliga competition, also has very complete facilities and facilities, such as two volleyball fields to train and also compete, two beach volleyball courts, a gym, and a swimming pool. There is also a futsal and basketball field.