Olympic Champion to play for IBB Polonia London
Olympic Champion to play for IBB Polonia London
The most recent sensation to hit the volleyball world has been confirmed. The Olympic Gold and Silver medallist, multiple times World Champion and multiple times World League Gold medallist – Giba (aka Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho), is to join IBB Polonia London. The list of his accolades is a lengthy one and it is impossible to include every one of his titles and successes for clubs and country. Now he will have the opportunity to fight for the English Super League title. The Brazilian, whilst playing in London, has a number of goals in mind.
Giba will move to London at the start of April 2019 and will immediately join the squad to showcase his skills on court in the final match of the season. The match will take place on April 14th 2019 at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre – the very same venue that IBB Polonia London achieved their historic CEV Challenge Cup victory. The transfer of the next legendary player to this team will be an ideal opportunity to promote the sport in the UK. Tickets for this event in which the world class outside receiver will play are available online.
“London has an amazing potential as a city, and IBB Polonia London has an unbelievable potential to do something spectacular thanks to the people who have such passion and love for volleyball. I finished my career, but this sport still lives in my heart. I am returning to the field of play, because our sport needs people that can attract fans and sponsors" said Giba.
"We have already had a World Champion in our squad, now the time for the next step has come and we have signed an Olympic Champion. This is yet another monumental success to have such a multi titled player in our squad. Giba is known the whole world over and he still takes an active role in promoting this sport. For this reason we believe that his presence in London will delight numerous fans and the arena will be full to the rafters on the day of the game. We urge everyone to come and be part of this match and to see a real legend in action. I am confident that, not only will the Club benefit, but the whole of English volleyball" commented Bartek Luszcz, President of IBB Polonia London.
"We do not rest on our laurels and once again we want to show the world that our aim is to establish the first professional volleyball club in the UK. These are not hollow words or a pointless goal. We want news of our club, its successes and all of its plans to spread around the world. This multi titled athlete will be our vehicle for this information and will bring this plan to fruition. The decision to sign Giba will provide a long term benefit for the club and soon the entire world will know of this. We believe that, thanks to Giba, and his sporting and organisational role within the team, the London volleyball event will be of the highest class" said Jacek Ambrozy; owner of IBB Builders Merchants and strategic sponsor of The Club.
The Brazilian has his role to fulfil, but not only on court. After finishing his career, Giba has focussed his energies on developing the sport globally and is heavily involved in many volleyball initiatives and projects, amongst others he is the President of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission. The London Club has experience of his organisational skills and will gain from his wealth of experience and know-how. Aside from that, Giba has become a shareholder of IBB Polonia London and an Ambassador of the crowdfunding initiative which has the aim of professionalising The Club and forming volleyball events around the world. Details of this campaign will be found on The Club website. The Club encourages everyone to get involved in these events. Investing in shares will allow shareholders to become active members in The Club and help in its growth. Simultaneously the level of the sport and matches will develop in London.
These developments of The Club are one way of stamping London's presence firmly on the volleyball map of the world as well as forming prestigious events for a new generation and adding IBB Polonia London to the world elite. The London club is still at the start of its journey of popularising the sport and of becoming a fully professional club. In the 2016/17 season, another highly decorated volleyball player formed part of the team – Krzysztof Ignaczak. In addition The Club has been broadcasting its matches on TV and over the internet.
Giba was born in 1976 and became a well-known receiver. As a representative of his country, he has the most significant and prestigious title possible. As a Brazilian National Team player, he won the 2004 Olympic gold medal and then in 2008 and 2012 the Olympic Silver medals. He is a three time World Champion and multiple times Gold medal World League winner. He won the MVP following the Olympic Games in Athens and became one of the most popular players in the history of the sport.
Pic. IBB Polonia London
