The FIVB is deeply saddened by the passing of Miloslav Ejem, a long-serving FIVB instructor and respected Czech volleyball educator who dedicated decades of his life to the development of the sport.
Born in Prague on 5 November 1935, Ejem built a distinguished career in volleyball as a player, coach, referee, teacher, researcher and administrator, with coach education and the sharing of technical knowledge becoming central to his contribution to the sport.
His work with the FIVB began in 1970 as an instructor on FIVB coaching courses. Over the years, he lectured at more than 70 FIVB, Sport Aid Programme and Olympic Solidarity courses around the world. He also lectured at and organised international FIVB coaching courses and seminars, passing on his knowledge to generations of coaches across the global volleyball community.
He served on the FIVB Coaches Commission from 1978 to 1992, becoming its secretary in 1984 and president from 1991 to 1992. He later served on the FIVB Technical Commission and was a member of the FIVB Board of Administration from 1998 to 2002.
His expertise also took him to some of volleyball’s biggest stages. Ejem served on FIVB committees and control juries at the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cups, including the Barcelona 1992 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Alongside his international work, Ejem had extensive experience as a coach. He worked with men’s and women’s teams in the former Czechoslovakia before coaching the Iranian men’s and women’s national teams from 1970 to 1972. He later coached in Finland from 1982 to 1984.
Education and research remained important throughout his career. Ejem authored or co-authored approximately 30 books, including FIVB coaching manuals, as well as around 50 scientific papers and more than 100 professional articles. His work helped preserve and share technical knowledge with coaches and volleyball professionals well beyond the courses he personally led.
His decades of service to volleyball were recognised both in his native Czech Republic and internationally. He was named an honorary member of the Czech Volleyball Association and was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Through his work as an instructor, educator and technical leader, Ejem leaves a significant legacy in the development of coaches and the sharing of volleyball knowledge around the world.
The FIVB extends its deepest condolences to Miloslav Ejem’s family, friends and the Czech volleyball community.
