The new contract was signed in Lausanne by izhong Wei, President of the FIVB, and Taketoshi Saeki, President of the Mikasa Corporation.

Mikasa has acquired the sponsorship, marketing and licensing rights for the official game ball for all FIVB flagship events, including the FIVB Volleyball World Championships, FIVB Volleyball World Cup, FIVB Volleyball World League and World Grand Prix and the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships and FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.

Wei said: "Mikasa has shown a strong commitment to the FIVB and the growth of volleyball and beach volleyball for more than 40 years.

"We are very proud to continue our successful collaboration for another period of four years, an exciting time that includes the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games."

Saeki said: "The Mikasa Corporation is exceedingly honoured with the contract and wishes to continue cooperating with the FIVB to promote the growth of the sport of volleyball all over the world.

"We look forward to continuing our role in giving volleyball fans around the world the best product to play the sport of volleyball."