Marte Hoffiz recipient of Rising Sun Order

FIVB First Executive Vice President and NORCECA President, Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, was honoured by His Majesty Naruhito, Emperor of Japan, with the Order of the Rising Sun in the class of Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.This prestigious decoration was awarded to Mr Marte Hoffiz at the residence of the Japanese ambassador to the Dominican Republic, His Excellency Hiroyuki Makiuchi, for his significant contribution to the close relations between the two countries, as well as the other countries in the region.In particular, Ambassador Makiuchi recalled the participation of the Dominican Republic women’s national volleyball team in many world events held in Japan, its training bases in various Japanese cities and the use of Japanese sports companies as official trademarks in NORCECA competitions.In addition, Ambassador Makiuchi commended the Queens of the Caribbean, as the Dominican Team is often known, considering them as a pride of international volleyball and the Dominican people while highlighting their position for many years as one of the ten best teams in the world.Upon receiving the award, NORCECA President Marte Hoffiz thanked Emperor Naruhito and declared that he accepts on behalf of the Dominican people and expressed how important this award is for him and his family. Meanwhile, at the request of Ambassador Makiuchi, Dominican Olympic Committee President Luis Mejía Oviedo and President Ad Vitam Dr. José Joaquín Puello, Vice Minister of Sports Franklin de la Mota and Vice Minister of the Presidency Alberto Rodríguez, also spoke and commended Mr Marte Hoffiz and fruitful Dominican-Japanese relations.Also attending were Mr Abraham Marte Messina and his wife Renata de Marte, Mme Trini Messina Lluberes, President of the Dominican Volleyball Federation Ramón García, NORCECA General Director Arateide Cáceres and Communications Director Roosevelt Comarazamy and, SENAFE Executive Milagros Cabral.