The president of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation, Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, was honored with the FIVB Grand Cross “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the world prestige and image of volleyball” during the celebration of the XXIII Norceca Congress in Punta Cana. The event took place 30 October-1 November at the Barcelo Bavaro Convention Center.
While he is being honored for his contributions to the promotion of regional and world volleyball, Marte also left his mark as the former Minister of Sports of the Dominican Republic and under his tutelage elevated women’s volleyball in the country from the bottom ranks internationally to being among the top eight programs in the sport worldwide. The DR placed 7th in senior, 1st in U20 and 12th in U18 divisions.
In an event that took place as part of the opening session of the XXIII Norceca Congress in Punta Cana at the Barcelo Convention Center, FIVB president Ary S. Graca presented Marte Hoffiz with the golden collar – the highest decoration bestowed by the volleyball world governing body.
Graca was concluding his welcoming remarks to the participants in the general assembly of the Norceca Confederation, when he surprised everyone with the presentation of the award that was not on the agenda.
The FIVB president said Marte Hoffiz “is a deserved recipient of this decoration as he has been a passionate and tireless leader who has worked so hard in favor of volleyball in the region and worldwide.”
A visibly moved Marte Hoffiz, who is also the First Executive Vice President of FIVB, accepted the collar with watery eyes, giving a long big hug to Graca.
During the Congress, Marte Hoffiz was re-elected to preside the confederation for the period 2015-2019. He has occupied the position since 2001 and is credited with elevating the quality of volleyball in the region and with promoting the practice of the sport at all levels.
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http://www.fivb.org/viewPressRelease.asp?No=58108&Language=en#.VjvJNkvxj7I