DOHA, Qatar — Qatar’s remarkable rise in international beach volleyball is set to create new opportunities for athletes and coaches from around the world following the establishment of a new FIVB International Centre of Excellence (ICoE) for Beach Volleyball in Doha.

FIVB President Fabio Azevedo attended and led the FIVB delegation for the establishment of the new centre, underscoring the importance of the partnership in expanding opportunities for beach volleyball development and high-performance training internationally.

The FIVB and Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the ICoE at the Al Gharafa Beach Volleyball Training Centre, positioning Doha as an international hub for beach volleyball athlete development, high-performance training and knowledge exchange.

The partnership brings Doha into the FIVB’s growing global network of ICoEs, opening Qatar’s high-performance beach volleyball environment to National Federations and athletes from across the Middle East, Asia and beyond.

The new ICoE will provide an international platform for high-performance preparation, athlete and youth development, coach education, technical cooperation, international training camps and knowledge exchange.

The centre features five beach volleyball courts, recovery and athlete support services, with access to experienced technical and high-performance personnel.

The establishment of the ICoE represents a natural next step for a country whose beach volleyball journey has developed rapidly over the past decade. Few stories better demonstrate that progress than the journey of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan.