--- title: "Gao Zhidan and FIVB delegation meet in Ningbo; aim to double reach to 1.6B by 2032" sdDatePublished: "2026-07-31T09:06:00Z" source: "https://www.fivb.com/es/china-charts-exciting-future-for-volleyball-as-one-of-the-most-popular-sports-in-the-country/" topics: - name: "volleyball" identifier: "medtop:20001089" - name: "sport" identifier: "medtop:15000000" locations: - "Ningbo" - "Japan" - "China" - "Germany" - "Ukraine" - "United States" - "Turkey" - "Iran" - "Netherlands" - "France" - "Canada" - "Slovenia" --- Gao Zhidan and FIVB delegation meet in Ningbo; aim to double reach to 1.6B by 2032 China charts exciting future for volleyball as one of the most popular sports in the country – FIVB China is already a global volleyball powerhouse. Its strong teams, iconic athletes and passionate supporters have inspired generations, while cities across the country have repeatedly welcomed the Global Volleyball Movement for some of its biggest events. Now, the focus is on what comes next. Against the backdrop of the world’s best teams competing at the VNL (Volleyball Nations League) Men’s Finals 2026, Gao Zhidan, President of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) and Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), met with a delegation from the FIVB and Volleyball World in Ningbo. Discussions centred on working together to develop a roadmap for the sport’s continued growth. This included new opportunities for mass participation and for hosting top level volleyball events, such as the VNL and a future Volleyball World Cup. Minister Gao described volleyball as one of the most popular sports in China and highlighted the strength of the relationship between the country’s sporting authorities and the Global Volleyball Movement. That commitment remains as strong as ever. This summer alone, China has hosted three VNL Pools, last week’s VNL Women’s Finals in Macao and is now staging the thrilling conclusion of the men’s competition in Ningbo. During the meeting, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo underlined China’s fundamental importance to achieving the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032’s goal of doubling the number of people connected to volleyball from 800 million to 1.6 billion. Reaching that goal would not be possible without China and the enormous contribution of its athletes, fans, organisers and communities. He also thanked Minister Gao Zhidan and China for their continued support of the sport, both at the highest level and through initiatives designed to make volleyball more accessible. Air volleyball is one such example. Hugely popular across China, its lighter and softer ball, lower net and smaller court encourage longer rallies and make the game accessible to children, older players and those picking up a volleyball for the first time. Firsthand experience of air volleyball during last year’s VNL Finals in Ningbo It is also a strong expression of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 and its motto, “Together as One”. By finding new ways to make the sport more accessible, understandable and affordable, volleyball can reach more people, in more places and at every level of the game. From hosting major international competitions to encouraging participation in schools and communities, China continues to show how elite performance and mass participation can move forward together. The GASC was also represented by Wu Jian, GASC Director of International Liaison and COC Secretary-General; Xu Xianghong, Director of the GASC General Office and COC Deputy Secretary-General; Lai Yawen, Director of the GASC Volleyball Sports Management Centre and President of the China Volleyball Association (CVA); and Yuan Lei, Deputy Director of the GASC Volleyball Sports Management Centre, CVA Vice President and Secretary-General, and a member of the FIVB Board of Administration. The FIVB delegation included President Fabio Azevedo, FIVB Secretary General Hugh McCutcheon, Volleyball World Chair Michael Payne, Volleyball World CEO Ugo Valensi, FIVB General Sports Director Steve Tutton, Volleyball World Chief Business Officer Guido Betti, FIVB Head of Sports Department Yu Cao, and Head of International Affairs and Communications Anna Manuelian. Following the meeting, everyone joined the fans inside the arena to witness China and Japan go head-to-head in their VNL quarterfinal matchup. On the court, two of Asia’s leading volleyball nations competed for a place in the semifinals. In the stands, the noise, colour and passion of the Ningbo crowd brought the occasion to life. The day began with a conversation about what could come next. It ended with a packed arena, two great teams and some of the world’s best athletes taking centre stage. 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