Virender Kanwar from Himachal Pradesh has been elected as the President of the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI). The election, held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, saw Kanwar narrowly defeat Prem Singh Bajor from Nagaland by a close margin of two votes. Kanwar secured 33 votes in total. The election was conducted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, following a directive from the Delhi High Court. This election marks a significant step towards restoring a democratically elected leadership to the VFI after a period of interim governance.
The VFI elections were long-awaited and were finally held under the supervision of Justice P. Krishna Bhat (Retd.), who was appointed as the Returning Officer by the court. To ensure complete transparency and fairness, the electoral proceedings were monitored by official observers from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The FIVB delegation included Steve Tutton, FIVB General Sports Director; Stephen Bock, FIVB Head of Legal and General Counsel; and Hitesh Malhotra, FIVB Head of Volleyball Empowerment and NF Relations.
In addition to the presidential election, key positions within the VFI were also filled. Ramanand Choudhary from Rajasthan was elected as the new General Secretary, securing 33 votes and surpassing Nilesh Vishnu Jagat from Maharashtra. Other positions such as Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Joint Secretaries, and Executive Committee Members were also contested, with a total of 29 candidates vying for 12 key positions.
The newly elected leadership, under Virender Kanwar, is now tasked with making the federation compliant with the Sports Code. This includes implementing necessary amendments and providing regular updates on their progress as mandated by the Delhi High Court. Kanwar has emphasized the federation's commitment to adhering to the Sports Code and fostering transparency and accountability in its operations.
A three-member steering committee has been established to assist with the transition and ensure that the VFI aligns with global standards, as hoped by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). This committee will play a crucial role in guiding the federation towards improved management practices and maintaining rigorous oversight.
Reflecting on the period of interim governance, Rohit Rajpal, the chairman of the VFI ad-hoc committee, noted that the committee worked relentlessly to maintain stability and drive progress in Indian volleyball despite the absence of an elected body. He highlighted India's recent silver medal at the CAVA Men's Nations League and the improvement in the global ranking from 168 to an estimated 45 as significant achievements during this time.
The election of Virender Kanwar as President and the formation of the new governing body represent a pivotal moment for the Volleyball Federation of India. With a focus on compliance, transparency, and accountability, the federation is poised to embark on a new chapter aimed at promoting and developing volleyball in India while adhering to both national and international standards.
