China men's volleyball team has huge potential, says founding Chair of Volleyball World

Fernando Lima, founding Chair of Volleyball World, hailed the China men's volleyball team as a future Olympic berth contender, citing the team's growing confidence and progress under coach Vital Heynen's guidance.

XI'AN, China, June 16 (Xinhua) -- As the Xi'an leg of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) wrapped up on Sunday, Volleyball World Board member and founding Chair Fernando Lima expressed optimism about the future of the Chinese men's team, saying their return to the Olympic stage is within reach.

"I think for some people, the Chinese team may have been a surprise, but not for us," Lima said. "We believe China's men's volleyball has huge potential to compete successfully on the global stage."

China finished the opening leg with two wins and two losses. After dropping their first match to Japan, the team bounced back with victories over Serbia and the Netherlands before losing to Türkiye.

"We see the team playing with a lot of confidence. The players are enjoying themselves, and there's been a profound change," Lima said, noting the team's progress under the guidance of Belgian coach Vital Heynen, who has introduced new training methods.

"We have a very successful women's team - very young and full of potential. I think this Chinese women's team will be on the podium if not in the next Olympics, for sure in 2032 in Australia. The men's team can follow the same path if the development continues," he added.

Lima said the tournament was a success both on and off the court, with passionate home fans creating a warm atmosphere in Xi'an. He also praised the level of organization and thanked local partners for their contributions.

"An event like this isn't possible without strong partners. First of all, the Chinese Volleyball Association, then the great local promoter who is helping us create all the show around the volleyball event itself, and support from all levels of government."

Beyond the sport itself, Lima was impressed by Xi'an, describing it as a unique blend of ancient history and modern life.

"Xi'an is an amazing city. I had the chance to explore. It's very clean, with a fantastic combination of history and modernity. It has a history of more than 3,000 years, but you can see how modern the city is at the same time. The parks are beautiful and safe. I saw kids playing with their families at night. I see many public sports facilities. The city loves sports."

Looking ahead, Lima said volleyball's popularity in China is likely to keep growing, driven by fan enthusiasm and stronger player-fan connections.

"Bringing the Volleyball Nations League to Xi'an was a huge success, and that success will only continue to grow."

At the end of the interview, Lima also praised the post-match interactions between the Chinese players and fans. Led by head coach Heynen, the team took a lap around the court after every match, high-fiving fans along the way - a gesture he believes helps grow the sport's appeal.

"The chance for fans to meet the players after matches is something we celebrate. It's important that players understand their role - to bring joy to more people, encourage them to play, and grow their love for volleyball." ■