Turin, Italy, March 22, 2016 - A packed auditorium at the Intesa Sanpaolo tower in Turin attended a presentation on the 2018 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship which will be co-hosted by Italy and Bulgaria with Turin set to welcome the final stages of the competition.
The presentation in Turin was attended by Italian Volleyball Federation President Carlo Magri, Turin Mayor Piero Fassino and by Intesa Sanpaolo Head of External Relations Vittorio Meloni. They were joined on stage by former volleyball star and 1990 world champion Andrea Lucchetta and Mauro Berruto, a native of Turin, who is also the former head coach of Italy’s men’s national team.
“It is a great pleasure to host a third consecutive World Championship in our country,” Mr Magri said referring to the 2010 Men's World Championship and the 2014 Women's World Championship held in Italy. “We are happy because Torino was the first city that came forward with a bid to host the Finals. The enthusiasm shown by the mayor and the city has been huge and kind of contagious. We have high expectations for this event and we would like to thank the sponsors that will be helping us in its delivery.”
FIPAV President Carlo Magri meets young volleyball players attending the presentation in Turin
Vittorio Meloni said: “Our banking group boasts a long-lasting partnership with volleyball. This will be the third time we will be supporting the organisation of a World Championship in Italy, after we did the same in 2010 and 2014. We are proud of this partnership because volleyball is a sport which profits from a positive image, and has no association with violence whatsoever.”
Mayor Fassino added: “I would like to thank Intesa Sanpaolo for providing this great location, which stands out as one of the landmarks of a ‘new’ Torino. We immediately developed a good feeling and understanding with President Magri which allowed us to implement our bid to host the Finals of the 2018 Men’s World Championship. Our city has historically had a strong connection with sport and volleyball is one of the most popular sports in Italy. This is a new and exciting adventure for all of us!”
Related article: Italy and Bulgaria to co-host 2018 Men's World Championship
The 2018 edition of the Men's World Championship follows on from the record-breaking edition in Poland in 2014. Click here for more information.