Gyula Mester has become President of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia following the departure of Zoran Gajić ©FIVB

Gyula Mester, first vice-president of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia (OSSRB), has taken up the role as President following the departure of Zoran Gajić to become Minister of Sports in his country’s new Government.

Mester, recognised as one of Serbia's greatest volleyball players, was voted into the position unanimously at the OSSRB's Extraordinary Electoral Assembly in Belgrade.

During his playing career Mester won 12 medals with the national team, including gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and bronze four years earlier at the Atlanta Games, as well as world silver in 1998.

He played for clubs in Italy and Greece, as well as at home in Serbia.

Mester was elected to the position of OSSRB vice-president in 2016 and became first vice-president in 2019.

Serbia are the reigning women's world champions ©Getty Images
Serbia are the reigning women's world champions ©Getty Images

Gajić was present at the meeting in his new national role.

Delegates also unanimously accepted Mester's proposal for Ivan Knežević to continue as secretary general, Jelena Nikolić to assume the role of first vice-president and Petar Bogunović and Vesna Čitaković-Djurišić to become vice-presidents.

Dragan Tadić was elected as President of the OSSRB Dupervisory Board and Stefan Ćukovic and Novak Savanović as members.

Mester, as well as all members of the Supervisory Board and other office-holders, have been elected to serve until 2028.