FIVB Revokes VFI Recognition

On April 21, 2026, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) issued an official statement revoking the provisional recognition granted to the interim leadership of the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI), citing serious breaches of “legal and administrative requirements”. The decision was taken by the FIVB Board of Administration pursuant to Articles 1.5.3 and 1.9.1 of the FIVB General Regulations.

Article 1.5.3 empowers the FIVB to refuse recognition of elections or decisions of a National Federation where prescribed legal and administrative requirements are not met. Further, Article 1.9.1 authorises the FIVB Board of Administration or Executive Committee to constitute ad hoc committees or task forces where governance disputes hinder volleyball activities or administration within a member federation.

The decision was taken after repeated instances of non-compliance with conditions outlined in the FIVB letter dated March 20, 2026, addressed to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha, through which provisional recognition had been granted to the VFI interim body for a period of 8 months, subject to specified governance and administrative conditions. Subsequently, P.T. Usha communicated these compliance requirements to Mr. Virender Kanwar in relation to the functioning of the VFI interim body.

Consequently, the FIVB granted temporary administrative competence to a Steering Committee comprising representatives from the FIVB and the IOA to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of volleyball activities in India during the transitional period. The Committee has been mandated to ensure continuity, stability, and proper governance, including establishing an Athletes’ Commission, conducting State Association elections, aligning the VFI Constitution with applicable governance frameworks, and implementing transparent, merit-based national team selection processes.

The FIVB further clarified that the Steering Committee would coordinate national and international competitions and oversee technical and high-performance support initiatives under the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Programme, including the deployment of international coaching expertise. The FIVB has committed financial assistance of USD 258,000 for 2026 towards athlete support and national team development across both genders and disciplines in India.

Subsequently, on April 22, 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYAS) issued an order suspending the conditional recognition granted to the VFI (interim body) as a National Sports Federation with immediate effect. Referring to the FIVB’s revocation decision, the Ministry noted that the international federation had identified repeated non-compliance with the conditions attached to provisional recognition, including a lack of cooperation with the Steering Committee, deviations from agreed governance and high-performance frameworks, and actions that adversely affected athlete preparation and the stability of the sport in India.

The Ministry observed that continued affiliation with the concerned International Federation and adherence to its governance framework are essential requirements under the Olympic Charter and the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, further stating that constructive engagement with international governing bodies is a sine qua non for institutional stability and good governance in sports administration.

The order also referred to proceedings before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in Maharashtra Volleyball Federation of India v. Union of India & Ors., W.P.(C) No. 1938/2024, wherein the Court directed completion of elections to the VFI and clarified that the newly elected Executive Committee would function only as an interim body pending governance reforms. Conditional recognition had subsequently been granted to the interim body by the Ministry on October 29, 2025, subject to compliance with directions of the Delhi High Court, coordination with the FIVB, and prescribed governance conditions.

The Ministry further clarified that responsibilities relating to the selection of national teams, submission of entries for international competitions, coordination with international bodies, and conduct of essential federation activities would continue to be undertaken by the Steering Committee constituted by the FIVB Board of Administration in coordination with the Indian Olympic Association and the Ministry, as an interim ad-hoc administrative measure until further orders.