Dutch sitting volleyball coach passes away

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) offers its condolences to Banfi’s family and the sitting volleyball community. 06 Aug 2013
Imagen
Jose Banfi

Jose Banfi teaches children the sport of sitting volleyball.

ⒸNPC Netherlands
By IPC

Banfi was also an eight-time Paralympic medalist himself, having won medals in both swimming and sitting volleyball for Slovenia during the 1980’s.

Joze Banfi, head coach of the Dutch men’s sitting volleyball team, died early on Saturday (3 August) after suffering from a heart attack while on vacation in Slovenia.

He was 58 years old and still very active in para-sport, as he also served as the supervisor of both the men’s and women’s national sitting volleyball teams in the Netherlands.

The sitting volleyball icon previously coached the Dutch women to a Paralympic silver medal and two World Championship titles, in addition to being an active instructor for the WOVD (World Organisation Volleyball for Disabled).

Banfi was also an eight-time Paralympic medallist himself, having won medals in both swimming and sitting volleyball for Slovenia during the 1980’s.

He was an inspiration to several generations of players, colleagues and friends, and was a highly respected educator who shared his knowledge of para-sport in places such as Kenya and Rwanda.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) offers its condolences to Banfi’s family and the sitting volleyball community.