MUJING Sr Liliane – DRC (PVA)

Sister Liliane became involved with paravolley in 2010 whilst working as a Coordinator of Projects in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Seeing people with physical impairments she decided there was a need for them to be involved with sporting activities, so she introduced sitting volleyball.

As an administrator for DRC she was involved in the London Paralympic Games before playing a key role in ensuring DRC were able to enter, travel and compete at the 2015 and 2017 ParaVolley Africa Zonal Sitting Volleyball Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.

She has received the following awards:

National
Best Manager Award, awarded in 2012 by the collective of journalists
Woman of Distinction – DRC 60 years in 2020

International
Schumann Prize for the Best Manager of projects funded by the European Union in the context of the promotion of disabled people including disabled sport (PROJET ECOUTEZ-NOUS)

Vice President Amédée TSHAPENDA in his statement of support stated:

We have known Sister Liliane for more than 25 years and she is always at the service of people with disabilities. She has proven to be exceptional in the organization, implementation and development of sitting volleyball in several provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, creating and organising all sitting volleyball leagues, leading to the creation of the Congolese Federation of sitting volleyball, FECOVA. In 2018 Sister Liliane was appointed President of FECOVA.

Even when no one believed it possible she ‘went for it’ and today it is impossible to talk about sitting volleyball in the DRC without her name appearing. She has distinguished herself in the field of management, particularly in the field of good governance.

Without Sister Liliane, nothing would have been achieved. She was the initiator of sitting volleyball, finding partners to provide the means for providing equipment to teams and organisations and to create and organize several championships of sitting volleyball.  In addition, she wrote the necessary statutes and other legal texts necessary to establish the sport.

For more than ten years she has worked on all fronts to ensure the development of sitting volleyball, good press coverage of the sport, and DRC’s membership of World ParaVolley.

Sister Liliane’s nomination is also supported by:

Mr Alphonse KASSONGO, Manager of Project Union European in DRC
José NAWEJ, Editor FORUM DES AS
Bernard Van den Abeele, Cabinet Axiom (Namur/Belgium)
Jean Pierre PWETO, Journalist at WANTASHI
Guylain MWANATEBA, Vice President of FECOVA
Fanfan BITANGILAY, Journalist at RTNC at KINSHASA

RICHER Marie-Claude – CAN (PVPA)

Marie-Claude attended an international referee clinic in May 2012 in Toronto, Canada, having been invited by a former WPV Canadian referee. Having seen her referee, he thought she had potential as a paravolley referee and would work well in that environment. She accepted the challenge.

She credits Pierre Farmer, former WPV International Referee and Referee Observer, with having the greatest influence on her development. She says he provided good advice on how to referee sitting volleyball compared with ‘regular’ volleyball, though there were very few competitions in Canada.

Marie-Claude Richer was involved in the following events as an International Referee:

2013 – Edmond/USA – PVPA Zonal Championships – October 9th to 13th
2014 – Elblag/Poland – World Championships – June 15th to 21st
2015 – Toronto/Canada – Parapan American Games – August 8th to 14th
2016 – Anji/China – WPV Intercontinental – March 17th to 23rd
2016 – Rio/Brazil – Paralympic Games – September 7th to 18th
2017 – Montreal/Canada – PVPA Zonal Championships – October 25th to 29th
2018 – Venlo-Eindhoven-The Hague/Netherlands – Mens World Championships – July 15th to 22nd
2019 – Lima/Peru – Parapan American Games – August 23rd to 28th
2021 – Tokyo/Japan – Paralympic Games – August 27th to September 5th

In his statement of support of the nomination, Joe Campbell, President of ParaVolley PanAmerica wrote:

I have known Marie Claude since 2012 when she attended her WPV International referee course in Canada. During her tenure she has had an outstanding impact in refereeing as noted in her assignments in working 2 Paralympic Games and World Championships, and 3 PVPA Zonal Championships. Marie Claude is truly a team player and works extremely well with her co-officials.  She is an advocate of Sitting Volleyball as she helps promote the sport in her nation by officiating and administrating competitions.

Marie Claude is currently the chair of the ParaVolley Referee Development Sub-committee on the Volleyball Canada National Referee Committee. Her duties include:

Assessing the needs for ParaVolley referees inside Canada
Establishing a pathway for volleyball officials to obtain a ParaVolley referee certification at the regional, national, and international levels.
Developing a ParaVolley referee educational program (ex. Webinars, workshops, and clinics).

Her future projects include working with other PVPA nations by sharing her efforts in the development of ParaVolley referees.

DELALIĆ Sabahudin – BIH (PVE)

Sabahudin started playing sitting volleyball at the Spid sitting volleyball club in 1996 as part of his rehabilitation after losing his right leg below the knee in 1992 whilst serving in the Bosnian Army.

As an international player he represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the following events:

1997 – Tallinn/Estonia – European Championships – Bronze medal
1998 – Tehran, IR Iran – World Championships – Bronze medal
1999 – Sarajevo, BIH – European Championships – Gold medal
2000 – Sydney, Australia – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2001 – Sarospatak, Hungary – European Championships – Gold medal
2002 – Cairo, Egypt – World Championships – Gold medal
2003 – Laperanta, Finland – European Championships – Gold medal
2004 – Athens, Greece – Paralympic Games – Gold medal
2005 – Leverkusen, Germany – European Championships – Gold medal
2006 – Roermond, the Netherlands – World Championships – Gold medal
2007 – Nyiregyháza, Hungary – European Championships – Gold medal
2008 – Ismailia, Egypt – Intercontinental Cup – Bronze medal
2008 – Beijing, China – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2009 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships – Silver medal
2010 – Edmond, USA – World Championships – Silver medal
2011 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – European Championships – Gold medal
2012 – London, England – Paralympic Games – Gold medal
2013 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships – Gold medal
2014 – Elblag, Poland – World Championships – Gold medal
2015 – Warendorf, Germany – European Championships – Gold medal
2016 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2017 – Poreč, Croatia – European Championships – Bronze medal
2018 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – World Championships – Silver medal
2019 – Budapest, Hungary – European Championships – Silver medal
2021 – Assen, Netherlands – Golden Nations League – Gold medal
2021 – Tokyo, Japan – Paralympic Games – Bronze medal
2021 – Kemer, Turkey – European Championships – Gold medal
2022 – Sarajevo, BIH – Golden Nations League – Gold medal
2022 – Sarajevo, BiH – World Championships – Silver medal

Awards received in addition to the above medals:

Sixth of April Award of the City of Sarajevo (collective) – The Sixth of April Sarajevo Award is the highest decoration given by the city of Sarajevo. Recipients are awarded for their continuous work and achievements in the fields of science, business, education, technology, health care, art, sports, and human rights. The award is given annually by the City Assembly of Sarajevo.
Golden Lily plaque (collective)
2015 Best Setter at European Championships
2022 Best Setter in World at World Championships
2022 Bosnia and Herzegovina Athlete of the Year
2014 Para Athlete of the Year in the Sarajevo Canton of Bosnia and Herzegovina
2020 Recognition Award from World ParaVolley. The honour acknowledged his significant contribution towards and development of sitting volleyball

Posts held:

From 2000: Member of the Board of Directors of ASVBIH and captain of the BIH national team.
President of the Paralympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Adviser to the Minister in the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sabahudin DELALIĆ, an outstanding athlete and leader of a world leading team, was nominated by BIH Association of Sitting Volleyball President Mr. Hajrudin Zekić.

HAMZIĆ Dževad – BIH (PVE)

Dževad started playing at the Spid sitting volleyball club in 1996. The previous year, during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, whilst serving in the Bosnian army, he stepped on a mine in Nišići (village near Sarajevo). He started training for sitting volleyball primarily for rehabilitation after his leg amputation and suffering visual impairment.

As an International player for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dževad was involved in the following events:

1998 – Tehran, IR Iran – World Championships – Bronze medal
1999 – Sarajevo, BIH – European Championships – Gold medal
2000 – Sydney, Australia – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2001 – Sarospatak, Hungary – European Championships – Gold medal
2002 – Cairo, Egypt – World Championships – Gold medal
2003 – Laperanta, Finland – European Championships – Gold medal
2004 – Athens, Greece – Paralympic Games – Gold medal
2005 – Leverkusen, Germany – European Championships – Gold medal
2006 – Roermond, the Netherlands – World Championships – Gold medal
2007 – Nyiregyháza, Hungary – European Championships – Gold medal
2008 – Ismailia, Egypt – Intercontinental Cup – Bronze medal
2008 – Beijing, China – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2009 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships – Silver medal
2010 – Edmond, USA – World Championships – Silver medal
2011 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – European Championships – Gold medal
2012 – London, England – Paralympic Games – Gold medal
2013 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships – Gold medal
2014 – Elblag, Poland – World Championships – Gold medal
2015 – Warendorf, Germany – European Championships – Gold medal
2016 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2017 – Poreč, Croatia – European Championships – Bronze medal
2018 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – World Championships – Silver medal
2019 – Budapest, Hungary – European Championships – Silver medal
2021 – Assen, Netherlands – Golden Nations League – Gold medal
2021 – Tokyo, Japan – Paralympic Games – Bronze medal
2021 – Kemer, Turkey – European Championships – Gold medal
2022 – Sarajevo, BIH – Golden Nations League – Gold medal
2022 – Sarajevo, BIH – World Championships – Silver medal

Awards received in addition to those listed above:

Sixth of April Award of the City of Sarajevo – The Sixth of April Sarajevo Award is the highest decoration given by the city of Sarajevo. Recipients are awarded for their continuous work and achievements in the fields of science, business, education, technology, health care, art, sports, and human rights. The award is given annually by the City Assembly of Sarajevo.
Golden Lily Plaque
The best setter in Europe in 2007, Nijerhaza, Hungary – European Championship
Bosnia and Herzegovina Athlete of the Year 2007.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Athlete of the Year 2016.
In 2020 he received a Recognition Award from the World ParaVolley Federation. The honour acknowledges the recipient’s significant contribution towards and development of sitting volleyball.

Official Post held:

Expert advisor for sports at the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton

HAMZIĆ Dževad, as an outstanding athlete and role model, playing for a world leading team, was nominated by BIH Association of Sitting Volleyball President Hajrudin Zekic.

JUNG YooYeon – KOR (PVAO)

YooYeon, formerly Mal Soon, started her involvement with sitting volleyball at international level in 2004 when she completed the International Referee Course in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She credits the support of the World ParaVolley Family for her personal and referee development; particularly President Barry Couzner, Gaby Lotan, Joe Campbell, Denis Le Breuilly, Pierre Farmer, Ebrahim Firouzi and Glynn Archibald.

Events in which she was involved as either an International Referee of Referee Observer include:

2002 – Busan, Korea – Fespic Games
2004 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia – AOCVD Standing Volleyball Championships
2007 – Roermond, The Netherlands – Triple World Championships
2007 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Fespic Games
2007 – Shanghai, China – AOCVD Championships (Women)
2008 – Ismailia, Egypt – Intercontinental Cup
2008 – Beijing, China – Paralympics
2010 – Port Said, Egypt – WOVD World Cup
2010 – Oklahoma, USA – World Championships
2010 – Shanghai, China – Fespic Games
2011 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Standing World Cup
2011 – Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil – Pan American Championships (Women)
2012 – London, England – Paralympics
2013 – Beijing, China – AOCVD Men’s Club Championship – Referee Observer
2014 – Mashhad, Iran – Asian Para Games – Referee Observer
2016 – Anji, China – Intercontinental Cup
2016 – Qingdao, China – WPV Super Six – Referee Observer
2016 – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – Paralympics
2018 – The Netherlands – World Championships – Referee Observer
2019 – Jakarta, Indonesia – Asian Para Games – Referee Observer
2019 – Bangkok, Thailand – PVAO Zonal Championships – Referee Observer
2019 – Bangkok, China – WPV Level 2 Referee Course Instructor

Previous Award received:

2020 WPV Recognition Award

Official Posts held:

Member of World ParaVolley Referee Commission
Member of KOVAD, Korean Volleyball Federation, Referee Commission
2018 – Jeju, Korea – International Director of Public Relations for World Championships Final Qualifier

In his nomination statement Gaby Lotan, former WPV Referee Commission Chair wrote:

YooYeon acted at the highest level of International Referee for 15 years and always took a leading role in the group of referees – whenever and wherever she was present. Her behaviour was always impeccable – both on and off court.

My first interaction with her was at the Intercontinental Cup in 2008 in Ismailia (EGY) when as Referee Delegate I immediately noticed her outstanding qualities as a referee and as a person. Though she was still a Candidate International Referee, I appointed her as First Referee at the Women Gold Final match and I was very proud to witness her performance and leadership.

After the Courses in Sarajevo in 2017, I had the pleasure to recommend YooYeon to be recognized as an Official World ParaVolley (WOVD at that time) Referee Observer and Referee Instructor. Very fortunately for our federation, Mrs. JUNG acted in these functions for nine years – part of them in parallel with being an active International Referee. Since 2018 she has been a member of the WPV Referee Commission, and her expertise is very much welcomed.

During her long-lasting period of activity with WOVD/WPV, YooYeon has displayed outstanding qualities and full commitment to assisting our organization in all the different fields as International Referee, Referee Observer, Referee Instructor and Organizer and was always present to help everybody. I have no doubt that YooYeon JUNG strongly deserves to be awarded the Distinguished Services Award for her huge contribution to World ParaVolley.

JUSUFOVIĆ Ermin – BIH (PVE)

Ermin was first involved with sitting volleyball in 1998 and began his international career in 2001 at the European Championships in Hungary. He admired Asim Medić as a player and was greatly influenced by him. He says the person who had the greatest influence on him, and his development, was Fahrudin Muharemović, who was his first coach and taught him the most.

As an international player he represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the following events:

2001 – Sarospatak, Hungary – European Championships – Gold medal
2002 – Cairo, Egypt – World Championships – Gold medal
2003 – Laperanta, Finland – European Championships – Gold medal
2004 – Athens, Greece – Paralympic Games – Gold medal
2005 – Leverkusen, Germany – European Championships – Gold medal
2006 – Roermond, the Netherlands – World Championships – Gold medal
2007 – Nyiregyháza, Hungary – European Championships – Gold medal
2008 – Ismailia, Egypt – Intercontinental Cup – Bronze medal
2008 – Beijing, China – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2009 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships – Silver medal
2010 – Edmond, USA – World Championships – Silver medal
2011 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – European Championships – Gold medal
2012 – London, England – Paralympic Games – Gold medal
2013 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships – Gold medal
2014 – Elblag, Poland – World Championships – Gold medal
2015 – Warendorf, Germany – European Championships – Gold medal
2016 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2017 – Poreč, Croatia – European Championships – Bronze medal
2018 – I.R. Iran – World Super 6
2018 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – World Championships – Silver medal
2019 – Budapest, Hungary – European Championships – Silver medal
2021 – Assen, Netherlands – Golden Nations League – Gold medal
2021 – Tokyo, Japan – Paralympic Games – Bronze medal
2021 – Kemer, Turkey – European Championships – Gold medal
2022 – Sarajevo, BIH – Golden Nations League – Gold medal
2022 – Sarajevo, BiH – World Championships – Silver medal

Awards received: in addition to medals listed above:

Best Blocker: 2008 Intercontinental Cup
Best Blocker: 2018 World Super 6
Best Blocker0: 2022 Tokyo Paralympics
Most Valuable Player 2022 World Championships
Numerous Fair Play Awards

Post held:

Club/Team Captain for 15 years
Sport Director and Club captain for SKISO Sons of Bosnia Lukavac

In his nomination of this outstanding athlete, international player for 21 years and team leader for 15 years, BIH Association of Sitting Volleyball President Hajrudin Zekic wrote:

I have known Ermin Jusufović since 1998. He has made a considerable contribution to the development of sitting volleyball in BIH and the European Zone. He has proved an outstanding professional with a responsible attitude and a passion for sitting volleyball. Ermin commits his time to promoting sitting volleyball by always accepting requests for interviews and involving himself in any activities to promote the sport. He is very active posting and promoting on social media e.g., Facebook, Instagram, etc.

KARREMAN Peter – NED (PVE)

Peter was introduced to sitting volleyball in 2004 by Jouke de Haan, after which he became more and more involved. In 2010 he was asked by the then WOVD President. Pierre van Meenen, to assist with a Women’s qualification event for the World Championships to be held in Oklahoma, USA later in the year. Together with Jose Banfi and Pierre van Meenen he helped sit up the event and a coaching course in Nairobi, Kenya.

He credits Jouke de Haan as having the greatest influence on his development by recruiting him to sitting volleyball but says during his career he was particularly influenced by all his African friends, the ParaVolley Family and individuals such as Pierre van Meenen and Denis Le Breuilly.

Peter’s involvement has included the following:

2007-2010 – Coach Dutch Men’s team (and Dutch Youth team)
2007 – Nyiregyhaza, Hungary – European Championships
2008 – Leverkussen, Germany – European Youth Championship & Coaching Clinic.
2009 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships 20/09/2009 – 27/09/2009
2009 – Roermond, Netherlands – International Youth Tournament, 11th -17th July
2008-2010 – Tutor and Examiner – Dutch Coaching Course ‘Sitting Volleyball’
2010-2022 – Coaching Instructor for World Para Volley
2010 – Nairobi, Kenya), – World Championship Qualifier (Women) – tutor, event organizer. 16th–20th February
2013 – Nairobi, Kenya – Level 1 Coaching course with Jouke de Haan
2015 – Kigali, Rwanda – Tutor Level 1 Coaching course, June 2015
2017 – Zimbabwe – Senior Tutor for Level 1 Tutor Candidates
2010-2012 – Coach Rwanda Men’s Team
2010 – Oklahoma (USA), World Championships
2011 – Kigali, Rwanda – Sub Sahara Qualifier (Men) for London 2012
2012 – London, Great Britain – Paralympics 29/08/2012 – 9/9/2012
2011- 2016 – Coach Rwanda Women’s team
2011-2015 – Training, coaching at local events, preparation for Rio 2016
2015 – Kigali, Rwanda – African Zonal Championships. 1st place, & qualification for RIO 2016, 23/07/2015 – 28/07/2015
2016 – Anji, China – WPV Intercontinental Cup
2015-2016 Practice camps in China, Slovenia, Netherlands, Kenya and Rwanda
2015 – Podcetrtek (Slovenia), European Championships (Women)
2016 -Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Paralympics 07/09/2016 – 18/09/2016
2017 Author of the book “Onbeperkt, de wereld aan mijn voeten”
2022 to 2023 the translation of above Dutch Book into English language

Award received:

2020 – World ParaVolley Recognition Award as an International Coach and Coach Educator

Post Held:

May 2021 until present: Project Manager for Level 2 E-Learning Development (Coaching)

In his nomination the President of the Paralympic Committee of Rwanda, Mr. Jean Baptiste Murema, stated:

Coach Peter Karreman has been involved in Rwandan sitting volleyball since June 2010. Since then, we have known him as an energetic, passionate and involved coach. Until 2010 sitting volleyball in Africa was mainly practiced in Arab countries. The Sub-Saharan and South African nations have undergone enormous development since that time.

In addition to coaching, Peter has supported NPC Rwanda in organisational and sports infrastructure matters. Setting up a systematic approach, writing long-term plans, developing coaches and trainers were part of this. He has contributed to the development of the various clubs in all Rwanda’s provinces. The transfer of his knowledge and experience through courses, clinics and training sessions has been invaluable to all involved.

Peter started with coaching the Men’s team. The first time Rwanda was able to show itself to the sitting volleyball world was with participation in the 2010 World Championships in Oklahoma, USA. It was closely followed by winning the Sub-Saharan Championships in 2011. This qualification for, and subsequent participation in, the 2012 London Paralympics meant the presence of an African team from the Sub-Sahara for the first time. Since the win over Morocco in London, the Men have remained second in Africa and the gap with the #1 Egypt is getting smaller.

Peter’s biggest achievement undoubtedly lies with women’s sitting volleyball. In 2011 sitting volleyball for women was set up from scratch. After a year the ambitious plan targeting qualification for the Paralympics was approved and implementation commenced in 2013. Despite some setbacks, the tenacity and ambition remained undiminished.

The African Zonal Championships in 2015 was the turning point in the history of women’s sitting volleyball in Africa. The training programme set up by Peter resulted in victory over Egypt and qualification for the Rio2016 Paralympics. Rwanda became the first African Women’s team, in any sport, to qualify for the Paralympics. Rwanda remains the leading African Women’s team. They continue to improve, and extend their lead, as a result of training camps held outside Africa, e.g., Slovenia and The Netherlands, and many exhibition matches. These have been made possible by coach Peter Karreman arranging sponsorship and limiting his expenses to flights and accommodation.

The presence of the Rwanda’s Women’s team at major tournaments has been inspirational. The work of Peter Karreman in developing sitting volleyball in Rwanda has had a positive effect on other countries in Africa. The ambition and successes have shown that a lot is possible, and many other countries are now trying to follow in Rwanda’s footsteps.

KHATTAB Hayat – EGY (PVA)

Dr Hayat Khattab, currently a Senator in the Egyptian Parliament, first became involved with World ParaVolley in 2011. She states that in addition to World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner, the person who had the greatest influence on her development was former World ParaVolley Sport Director Denis le Breuilly, who provided her with direction and support during her administration.

Hayat Khattab’s involvement has included:

From 2011- Board Member of Egyptian Paralympic Committee – promoting sitting volleyball
From 2011 – General Secretary of African ParaVolley Committee
From 2011 – 2021 – President of ParaVolley Africa & member of WPV Board of Directors
From 2015 – President of the Egyptian Paralympic Committee for many years
2021 – first Vice President of the newly formed African Paralympic Committee

Awards Received include:

2017 – International Women’s Day – nominated by the International Paralympic Committee as the Sports Woman of the Year for efforts in promoting and developing the Paralympic movement in Egypt and Africa
2019 – Selected to represent Africa in Tokyo and presented with IPC certificate
2020 – World ParaVolley Recognition Award from the World ParaVolley Board of Directors for significant contribution to the promotion and development of sitting volleyball in the field of Governance.

Nominating Dr Hayat Khattab for the Distinguished Service Award, World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner wrote:

Dr. Khattab has been the senior leader of ParaVolley in Africa from 2011 to 2021 in the position of President. In this capacity she made valuable contributions to the activities and policymaking of the World ParaVolley Board of Directors at a global level. Her governance work was further recognised when she was elected as the first Vice President of the African Paralympic Committee – a highly prestigious position.

Dr. Khattab has been a great supporter of the development of females in ParaVolley, being instrumental in establishing a sitting volleyball team in Egypt and in ensuring the viability of the women’s competitions at the Zone level. This, in turn, meant that female teams from Africa were able to participate in the Paralympic Games in 2016 (for the first time) and 2020. During her time as PVA President, the greatest number of female teams participated in an African Zone Championship in 2015 – a total of 6 teams. All of this led to her IPC Award as International Sports Woman of the Year in 2017.

Dr Khattab also understood the need for training and development in Africa and so supported many training and education courses in Mozambique, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Rwanda. This led to the qualification of ParaVolley referees, coaches, classifiers and anti-doping officials in Africa.

In sum, Dr. Khattab has been a long-term leader and pioneer of the general development of ParaVolley Africa and distinguished herself as the most effective administrative leader to date with a particular focus on the development of women’s ParaVolley that has been very valuable for many female athletes. In her time within World ParaVolley she was the only female Zone President – a tribute to her strong leadership qualities that deserve recognition.

MEHMEDOVIĆ Ejub – BIH (PVE)

Having been wounded, Ejub was influenced by family, friends and a coach to begin playing sitting volleyball in 1996 in Tuzla. He found it gave him numerous health benefits and played a major part in his recovery process.

Ejub represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the following events as a player:

2002 – Cairo, Egypt – World Championships – Gold medal
2003 – Laperanta, Finland – European Championships – Gold medal
2004 – Athens, Greece – Paralympic Games – Gold medal
2005 – Leverkusen, Germany – European Championships – Gold medal
2006 – Roermond, the Netherlands – World Championships – Gold medal
2007 – Nyiregyháza, Hungary – European Championships – Gold medal
2008 – Ismailia, Egypt – Intercontinental Cup – Bronze medal
2008 – Beijing, China – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2009 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships – Silver medal
2010 – Edmond, USA – World Championships – Silver medal
2011 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – European Championships – Gold medal

And from 2012 to the present as a coach:

2012 – London, England – Paralympic Games – Gold medal
2013 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships – Gold medal
2014 – Elblag, Poland – World Championships – Gold medal
2015 – Warendorf, Germany – European Championships – Gold medal
2016 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Paralympic Games – Silver medal
2017 – Poreč, Croatia – European Championships – Bronze medal
2018 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – World Championships – Silver medal
2019 – Budapest, Hungary – European Championships – Silver medal
2021 – Tokyo, Japan – Paralympic Games – Bronze medal
2021 – Kemer, Turkey – European Championships – Gold medal
2022 – Sarajevo, BiH – World Championships – Silver medal

Ejub MEHMEDOVIĆ, an outstanding player and coach of a world leading team was nominated by BIH Association of Sitting Volleyball President Mr. Hajrudin Zekić, who has known him for many years.

MEIJER Benno – NED (PVE)

Benno began his involvement with sitting volleyball when Paul Harmsen, team manager of the Dutch Women’s sitting team, nominated him for the World ParaVolley International Referee course in Malaysia in 2004. Among others he has stated that those who helped with his development as a referee include Viktor Feldshteyn, Janko Plesnik, Senad Helac and Gerard Brouwers.

As an International Referee Benno Meijer has been appointed to the following events:

2004 – Leipzig, Germany – Eurocup Men
2005 – Leverkusen, Germany – European Championships M/W
2006 – Roermond, Netherlands – World Championships M/W
2007 – Cairo, Egypt – Afro-Arab Games M
2008 – Ismalia, Egypt – Intercontinental Cup M/W
2008 – Nyiregyhaza, Hungary – Eurocup M
2009 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships M/W
2010 – Oklahoma, USA – World Championships M/W
2011 – Elblag, Poland – Eurocup M
2011 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – European Championships M/W
2012 – Cairo, Egypt – Intercontinental Cup M/W
2012 – London, Great Brittan – Paralympic Games M/W
2013 – Elblag, Poland – European Championships M/W
2014 – Elblag, Poland – World Championships M/W
2015 – Warendorf, Germany – European Championships M
2016 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Paralympic Games M/W
2017 – Porec, Croatia – European Championships M/W
2018 – Venlo-Eindhoven-The Hague, The Netherlands – World Championships M/W
2019 – Budapest, Hungary – European Championships M/W
2021 – Tokyo (2020), Japan – Paralympic Games M/W
2021 – Kemer, Turkey – European Championships M/W
2022 – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Golden Nations League M
2022 – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Silver Nations League W
2022 – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – World Championships M/W

Additional involvement has included:

2004-2013: Member of the Organising Committee of the (inter)national tournament in Leersum
2010 – present: Responsibility for the nominations of referees in (inter)national tournaments in The Netherlands

Awards received:

2012 National: Sitting Volleyball Referee of the Year
2017 National: Certificate of Honour – International referee
2017 National: Silver pin for 25 years of whistling
2022 National: Sitting Volleyball Referee of the Year

Posts held:

2010 – present: Nevobo Member Rules of the Games commission
2015 – present: World ParaVolley Treasurer
2015 – present: ParaVolley Europe Treasurer
2022 – present: Member of Nevobo International Affairs Task Force

Supporting Benno Meijer’s nomination, President Barry Couzner wrote:

I have known of Benno Meijer since he began his international refereeing career and I have come to know him more personally since around 2015.  Benno has an outstanding record as an active international sitting volleyball referee for World ParaVolley, having officiated in 5 World Championships, several Intercontinentals and 3 Paralympic Games.  In addition, he has consistently volunteered his time as a Referee at the Zone level for over 18 years.  The other significant contribution by Benno has been his honorary Treasurer duties for both ParaVolley Europe and World ParaVolley.  I particularly wish to mention his World ParaVolley responsibilities as Treasurer where he has worked with the General Manager to capably manage the bank account services from 2015 to the present – an extremely important task.

I believe that Benno Meijer has made a considerable positive contribution to ParaVolley over the years in the main two roles of International Referee and Treasurer – a unique combination of volunteerism that has served the organisation well and deserves recognition by World ParaVolley.

MOORE Jonathan – GBR (PVE)

Jonathan is a Sports Event Manager, with a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Loughborough University, and he is currently Sports Event Manager at Volleyball England. His 1st major Sitting Volleyball event was the ECVD Continental Cup in 2011 when he worked for Volleyball England as part of the Local Organising Committee. (LOC). It was the unofficial test event for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Following the Continental Cup, he then had a role with LOCOG helping to deliver the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

He attributes his development to many good role models, including British Technical Officials and Referees such as Denis Le Breuilly, Maciej Chodzko-Zajko, Gordon Neale, Steve Walton, Glynn Archibald and Dee Wauchope. Other key Technical Officials include Toralv Torkildsen and Barry Couzner,  Wayne Coyle, Gemma Wiggs, Stewart Dunne and Matt Rogers who particularly had a big influence in the build-up to London 2012.

Recent events with which he has been involved have included:

2018 – Jeju, South Korea – World Championships Final Qualifier – Jury Member – Received Level 1 Technical Official Certificate
2019 – Budapest Hungary – European Championships – Jury Member
2019 – Tokyo, Japan – The Nomura World Super 6 for Women – Technical Delegate – Received Level 2 Technical Official Certificate
2020 – Received Level 3 Technical Official Certificate
2017-2021 – Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – December 2017 to December 2021 – Technical Delegate
2021-2022 – Paris, France – Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – December 2021 to October 2022 – Technical Delegate – Unfortunately, Jonathan had to withdraw from Paris 2024 for family reasons.

In his supporting statement for the nomination of Jonathan, President Barry Couzner OAM wrote:

I have known Jonathan Moore as a Technical Official since the London 2012 Paralympic Games when it became obvious that he was an exceptional event planner and manager.  His subsequent involvement in events specific to World ParaVolley has clearly demonstrated that, despite his relatively fewer years of event leadership, Jonathan Moore is one of the most effective Technical Delegates currently engaged by the IF due to his depth of knowledge, sense of commitment and attention to detail.  His bravery and leadership in dealing with several major issues at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was clearly demonstrated. Jonathan Moore has been an outstanding international technical official for World ParaVolley as indicated by the success of the various competitions he has been involved in as a leader since 2018 in particular.

van MARUM Djoke – NED (PVE)

Djoke played volleyball from the age of 15. After becoming physically impaired, in 1985 she began playing sitting volleyball. She found sitting faster and more attractive, and eventually achieved membership of the Dutch sitting volleyball international squad in 1992. Having played with Joze Banfi in the Dutch league, she attributes him as having the greatest influence on her development, particularly during the period he was coach to the Dutch sitting volleyball international team. Djoke admired double amputee Joze as a person, a coach and for the way he coached children with a physical impairment.

As a player, Djoke van Marum represented The Netherlands at the following events:

1993 – Finland – European Championships – Gold medal
1994 – Netherlands – World Championships – Gold medal
1995 – Slovenia – European Championships – Gold medal
1996 – Latvia – EuroCup – Bronze medal
1997 – Estonia – European Championships – Bronze medal
1999 – Bosnia – European Championships – Bronze medal
2000 – Netherlands – World Championships – Gold medal
2001 – Hungary – European Championships – Gold medal
2002 – Slovenia – World Championships – Gold medal
2002 – Latvia – EuroCup – Gold medal
2003 – Finland – European Championships – Gold medal
2003 – Japan – Asian Cup – Gold medal
2004 – Athens – Paralympics – Silver medal
2005 – Germany – European Championships – Gold medal
2006 – Netherlands – World Championships – Gold medal
2007 – Hungary – European Championships – Gold medal
2008 – Beijing – Paralympics – Bronze medal
2008 – Egypt – WPV Intercontinental Cup – Gold medal
2009 – Poland – European Championships – Gold medal
2009 – Netherlands – Eurocup – Silver medal
2010 – USA – World Championships – 4th place
2010 – Egypt – WPV Intercontinental Cup – Silver medal
2011 – Netherlands – European Championships – Silver medal
2011 – Ukraine – WPV Intercontinental World Cup – 7th place
2012 – London – Paralympics – 4th place
2014 – Poland – World Championships – 4th place
2015 – Slovenia – European Championships – 4th place
2016 – China – WPV Intercontinental Cup – Silver Medal
2016 – Rio – Paralympics – 6th place
2017 – Croatia – European Championships – Bronze medal
2018 – Netherlands – World Championships – 8th place

Award received:

Gold medal pin from the NEVOBO (Dutch Volleyball Association)

In support of the nomination of Djoke van Marum’s, former Netherlands Women’s team coach Pim Scherpenzeel wrote:

I have known Djoke since 2013, when I became the head coach of the Dutch National Women’s Sitting volleyball team. She had been a player since the team first started in 1992 and she played until the World Championships in the Netherlands in 2018. She played 333 (!) matches in the National team, including 4 World Championships, 7 European Championships and 4 Paralympics (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016). In all the years I had the privilege of being her coach. She was very much committed to the team and to the game and it was extremely rare for her to miss a training-session,

She is not only a committed sitting volleyball player but also a very, very, very big promoter of sitting volleyball. She delivers clinics, workshops and training sessions at schools, clubs and everywhere else where there is a chance of promoting our sport. In her 45-year active career she has delivered hundreds of clinics and other promotional activities. Even though she is not an active player anymore, she still does! She has introduced sitting volleyball to several thousands (!) of kids all over our country.

Besides all she did and does for our sport, she is also an endearing and beautiful person. She has a lot of patience, is always kind and friendly, enthusiastic, and joyful. In all the years I have known her, I have never once seen her grumpy/moody or angry. She is genuinely interested in people, makes time for anybody, and children in particular.