Doha: Qatar Foundation (QF) has officially announced a strategic partnership with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the FIVB Volleyball Foundation. This collaboration aims to enhance the development and promotion of volleyball in Qatar by supporting athletes and fostering the growth of the sport at all levels. According to Qatar News Agency, the partnership was unveiled during the 'Women in Sports: Creating Pathways' event held at Education City Stadium. The event featured international sports administrators, Olympians, and Olympic medalists discussing women's roles in sports through panels organized by the FIVB and Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA), in conjunction with QF. Volleyball is now the second elite sport to be promoted under QF's Creating Pathways Program, following its launch in September 2024 as part of QF's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 legacy. The program aims to encourage physical activity and promote overall well-being, focusing on exercise, nutrition, and health, while empoweri ng women and girls through mentorship, skills development, networking, and career support. Qatar Foundation is set to become a knowledge hub for volleyball training and educational opportunities, facilitated by FIVB and the Volleyball Foundation. The collaboration will include school programs targeting young girls in two age groups, U10 and U14, to increase their participation in volleyball. Additionally, the FIVB and the Volleyball Foundation will conduct a 'Train the Trainer' program for QF, focusing on physical education teams within QF schools and universities. The partnership announcement also highlighted the appointment of HE Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani to the board of the Volleyball Foundation. The Volleyball Foundation leverages the global influence of volleyball to uplift communities through impactful projects worldwide. Executive Director of Partnerships and Strategic Alignment for QF, Alexandra Chalat, emphasized the importance of this partnershi p in advancing women's and girls' sports in Qatar. She noted the collaboration's role in harnessing Qatar's existing enthusiasm for sports and physical activity, while supporting the community's needs for inclusive sports participation. FIVB Volleyball Foundation President Dr. Ary S. Graca F expressed pride in partnering with QF, highlighting the potential of the collaboration to expand mass participation programs and empower individuals globally through volleyball. FIVB President Fabio Azevedo also emphasized the partnership's potential to promote women's empowerment and create meaningful opportunities, reinforcing volleyball's status as a gender-equal sport.