This year marks the 100th anniversary of Slovenian volleyball. To celebrate this milestone, a ceremonial event was held in Ljubljana, bringing together volleyball enthusiasts, sports professionals, former and current players, and distinguished guests from Slovenia and abroad.
The event paid tribute to a century of tradition and achievements in Slovenian volleyball while also offering a glimpse into the future of the sport. Among the attendees were notable figures such as the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, CEV President Roko Sikiri?, former CEV President Aleksandar Bori?i?, the President of the Slovenian Olympic Committee Franjo Bobinac, Slovenia’s Minister for Economy, Tourism, and Sports Matjaž Han, and many others. The President of the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia, Metod Ropret, addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of honoring history while committing to the continued development of volleyball in Slovenia:
“Each era has treated sports and volleyball in Slovenian differently. Yet volleyball enthusiasts, with their willpower and energy, established and developed this beautiful sport. In challenging circumstances, they pursued their goals with dedication, even when being a volleyball pioneer wasn’t easy. We must respect their efforts and perseverance.
Independence and becoming an independent nation allowed us to dream bigger and aim higher. Today, it’s wonderful to be part of the Slovenian volleyball family. Informed by the experiences of past generations, we have confidently stood alongside the best. Our men’s team has reached the global pinnacle, and our women’s team is following in their footsteps. We celebrated our first medals at major competitions and participated in the Olympics for the first time. Bold decisions by our federation have brought top-tier competitions to Slovenia. The moments we’ve experienced—cheering for our anthem in Stožice Arena—are unforgettable and deeply moving. While outstanding results are significant, the emotions of unity and pride that volleyball brings to Slovenians are priceless.”
Roko Sikiri?, the new President of the European Volleyball Confederation, praised Slovenian volleyball: “On behalf of the CEV, I would like to thank everyone here and those who are not present but have contributed to volleyball’s development in Slovenia and Europe. The Slovenian national team’s journey to the Paris Olympics, showcased today, is truly inspiring—a testament to the vision of President Ropret and his team. Slovenia is the smallest nation to compete in an Olympic volleyball tournament in the history, which speaks volumes. Your federation has unparalleled continuity, winning four medals from the last five championships—a feat unmatched even by countries that have won gold. Slovenian volleyball’s future is bright, and as CEV President, I pledge to contribute to its further growth. Together, we will write new chapters on the road to future Olympics. Congratulations once again!”
Fabio Azevedo, President of the FIVB, emphasized a global vision at the gala event at the Grand Hotel Union in Ljubljana: “We call ourselves a volleyball family because we stand together, even in tough times. Slovenia inspires the world through its athletes, federation, and nation. Two weeks ago, at the World Congress, we unveiled an eight-year vision under the motto Together as One! This aims to empower the global volleyball movement, growing not just the FIVB but especially all its members. Our shared mission aligns with that of the United Nations: to use sports to make the world a better place. Today, I am delighted to announce that the FIVB will deepen its partnership with the Slovenian federation, providing support for national teams and beach volleyball projects. The next 100 years for Slovenian volleyball will be even more remarkable. It’s no coincidence that in 2024, you are celebrating your centennial while making your first Olympic appearance. To commemorate this, we present you with the Olympic torch from the Paris Games, symbolizing every member of the Slovenian volleyball family. Happy anniversary!”
Slovenian national team player Dejan Vin?i? reflected on the past decade’s successes: “I’m incredibly proud to be part of this extraordinary journey, where our small Slovenia has excelled globally in volleyball. There were tough times before this golden era when qualifying for tournaments meant battling through preliminary rounds. Now, we look back on the most successful decade in Slovenian volleyball, both in results and organization. Hearing the presidents of the FIVB and the CEV acknowledge Slovenian volleyball’s prominence is truly special. Much of the credit goes to the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia and President Metod Ropret, who started this journey with us. I’m confident we’ll achieve even more in the future.”
During the event, special awards were presented to individuals who significantly contributed to the development of Slovenian volleyball: Branko Dolenc, Edi Dolinšek, Janko Goleš, Viktor Krevsel, Anica Mihorko, and Adolf Urnaut.
The centennial celebration also served as a platform to discuss the future of volleyball in Slovenia, focusing on youth inclusion, increasing the sport’s visibility, and hosting major international events.
Today, Slovenian volleyball boasts a record number of clubs and young players, achieving outstanding results. This centennial milestone highlights how tradition, persistence, and dedication have driven remarkable progress and accomplishments.
