Skopje, North Macedonia, July 13, 2020. As many as 17 out of 21 delegates supported Petar Jovanovski's candidacy to lead the Volleyball Federation of North Macedonia for the next four years. At the Electoral Assembly held in the city of Stip, the old-new leader presented the programme with the same high goals for the men’s national team and more attention paid to the revitalisation of women’s Volleyball. In fulfilling the programme, President Jovanovski will rely on the assistance provided by a seven-member Executive Board.
“We have gone through a difficult decade, in which we have achieved historic successes. Of course, the past will have real value only if we work even harder to achieve new goals. I tell you the truth, it was not easy, on the contrary, but I know that from now on it will be easier for everyone,” said Jovanovski, recalling the recent success of Macedonian Volleyball players in their maiden appearance at CEV EuroVolley in the group in Ljubljana.
“In order to continue the success story, and thus to give a chance for the development of the clubs, we need continuity in the participation in the European Championship. We have already started working on a generation change in the men’s senior national team, and we will start the process of revitalisation of the women’s team. In addition to the organisation of the women’s U19 European Championship in 2022, our wish is to be part of the continental summit again in 2023. Participation in the Balkan Championships will also continue to intensify,” said Jovanovski while presenting his programme, which includes 14 points.
In addition to the activities of the national teams and a four-year development plan for them, he announced more support for the clubs, especially for the next season, where they will especially feel the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Volleyball Federation of North Macedonia will continue to work on improving the education and skills of coaches, referees and delegates by organising seminars in cooperation with CEV, and will continue to participate in international projects - as was the case with the CEV School Project. Such events as the workshop held in Skopje when the heads of the European Refereeing Commission educated young European and Macedonian referees, Jovanovski says, should become a regular practice to promote Volleyball at all levels in the country.
Moreover, the Federation will continue to work with the Macedonian Radio and Television to hold the “Volleyball Monday” project, which, despite the coronavirus crisis, enabled a record number of domestic league broadcasts over the past season. All this is a valuable promotion for the clubs in their effort to upgrade their own budget.
The delegates of the Electoral Assembly of the Volleyball Federation of North Macedonia voted in favour of the new Board, which, besides President Jovanovski, includes Vice Presidents Ivica Hadzilijoski, Stojan Ivanov and Akik Ferati, and members Ljupco Krstevski, Gjorgji Gjorgjiev and Visar Jakupi.
So the bar is raised even higher than before, the goals are more numerous, but the team of the Federation is renovated and ready to work hard.