International joust gets Palace backing

Malacañang yesterday formally threw its full support to ensure the success of the country’s hosting of the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship set from Oct. 18 to 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In the memorandum circular No. 9 issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea dated Oct. 5, President Duterte tasked all government agencies to provide support to the prestigious volleyball festival where the best club teams from Brazil, Switzerland, Thailand, Japan, Turkey and Italy will see action.

Among the agencies expected to provide assistance to the organizing Philippine Superliga are the Philippine Sports Commission, Bureau of Customs, Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Tourism, Bureau of Immigration and Metro Manila Development Authority among others.

Medialdea said hosting the tourney is a big boost to the country’s tourism program and government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring its success.

“This is to direct all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government owned and controlled corporations and encouraging local government units, to extend support to the 2016 Federation Internationale de Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship,” Medialdea said.

“This will be an opportunity for its further recognition of the Philippines as a world-class venue for international sporting events.”

PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara welcomed the positive development, saying that the full government support will make them flexible in making the tournament a success.

“This is a world-class tournament that deserves a world-class preparation,” Suzara said. “This government support is a major boost to our preparation as we will have more flexibility to make it a success.”

Earlier, the Philippine National Police already vouched its support with no less than PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa instructing PNP Senior Superintendent Romas Colet Apolinario of the Southern Police District to ensure the safety of the athletes, coaches, officials, VIPs and other foreign guests, similar to the country’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Summit last year.

The Philippines will be fielding PSL-F2 Logistics Manila bannered by Rachel Anne Daquis, Mika Reyes, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Kim Fajardo, Jaja Santiago, Frances Molina and Jen Reyes together with seven imports.

They will be competing against powerhouse VakifBank Istanbul and Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul of Turkey, Hisamitsu Spring of Japan, Bangkok Glass of Thailand, Pomi Casalmaggiore of Italy, Volero Zurich of Switzerland and Rexona-Sesc Rio of Brazil.