FIVB Replaces VFI Leadership, Installs Steering Committee Over Governance and Compliance Failures

This week saw a tussle between the governing bodies and their stakeholders, with the ISL writing to the AIFF and the NGT issuing notices to 7 IPL stadiums. Now we have the Volleyball Federation of India losing its professional recognition due to non-compliance with international standards.

The FIVB has revoked the interim leadership of the Volleyball Federation of India due to administrative and legal non-compliance. A steering committee is being set up as their replacement for the temporary operations continuity.

"The welfare and support of athletes remains the FIVB's top priority, and to this end, the Steering Committee has been mandated to ensure continuity, stability and proper governance during this transitional period," the federation explained.

Constituents of the steering committee shall be IOA Executive Council member Rohit Rajpal, CEO Raghuram Iyer, FIVB General Sports Director Steve Tutton, FIVB Head of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Stephen Bock and Hitesh Malhotra.

"It's going to be terrible for our careers, but the fact is, we shouldn't have to play like this. There is no analysis, no recovery; the coaches don't know anything; they are living in the 1950s. The one who was making a difference (referring to Mihailovic) has been removed for no clear reason," Kottarathil Anand revealed.

"It's going to be terrible for our careers, but the fact is we shouldn't have to play like this. There is no analysis, no recovery; the coaches don't know anything; they are living in the 1950s. The one who was making a difference (the Serbian coach Mihailovic) has been removed for no clear reason," he added further.

"Under this Programme, the FIVB will contribute $258,000 (€220,525) in 2026 toward athlete support and national team development across both genders and disciplines in India, reaffirming its commitment to a stronger, more transparent future for Indian volleyball."