FIVB signs five-year deal with ASICS aimed at continuing modernisation of sport

A five-year agreement has been signed between ASICS President and chief exeutive Motoi Oyama (left) and FIVB head Ary Graca in Kobe @FIVB

A five-year global agreement with Japanese sportswear manufacturer ASICS has been hailed as the latest way for the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to modernise the sport at a special unveiling ceremony in Japan today.

Under the terms of the deal, ASICS will supply the tops for the athletes, and uniforms for the beach volleyball court personnel and officials as well as uniforms for the referees and officials in the indoor version.

The deal is due to begin on January 1 and last until at least December 31 in 2020.

This comes as the FIVB bids to "modernise the sport of volleyball to ensure it stays at the forefront of cutting-edge technology".

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome ASICS to the global volleyball family as we look ahead to an exciting new partnership over the next five years," said FIVB President Ary Graça at the ceremony in Kobe.

“Together we can help enhance volleyball’s reputation and popularity around the world as we aim to realise our vision of becoming the number one family sport entertainment.”

FIVB President Ary Graca, pictured attending the Asics World Series of Beach Volleyball in Long Beach, California in July ©Getty Images

The Japanese company, a Gold Partner for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, will also be creating a new line of uniform which, it is hoped, will help the FIVB strengthen its position as one of the world’s most "innovative and dynamic sports".

Graça, the ambitious Brazilian, who assumed the Presidency in 2012, unveiled a broad strategy of nine goals at last month's beach volleyball World Tour Finals in Fort Lauderdale.

As well as raising the profile and innovation across the sport, these included an aim to sign four new global sponsors by 2020 with a goal of bringing in $10 million (£6 million/€9 million) per year.

This deal, of which the exact cost has not yet been revealed, appears a good start towards achieving this objective.

"ASICS is thrilled to be able to support the FIVB as an official supporter," added the body's President and chief executive Motoi Oyama.

"We hope our new uniform styles will contribute to the spread of volleyball and beach volleyball and create a new image for the two disciplines."