By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The creation of a new volleyball federation is in the works as the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) scheduled the election of its officials on Jan. 25 at the East Ocean Seafoods Restaurant in Parañaque City.
POC officials led by President Bambol Tolentino met major volleyball stakeholders Saturday at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel to lay down the groundwork which will serve as a stepping stone in securing recognition from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
“Volleyball is already unified at last and the true winner here is Philippine volleyball,” Tolentino said in a statement.
Among those who attended the meeting were Alliances of Philippine Volleyball Inc.’s Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. Secretary General Ariel Paredes, and Philippine Volleyball Federation Secretary General Rustico “Otie” Camangian.
Joining them were Ricky Palou and Tony Boy Liao of Sports Vision that organizes the Premier Volleyball League.
POC Secretary General Atty. Ed Gastanes, membership and accreditation committee head Atty. Billy Sumagui, and legal officer Atty. Wharton Chan were also present in the meeting.
The new volleyball federation will be composed of 13 positions from the chairman, president, down to the board members.
Deadline, validation, and submission of voting members will be Monday. Nomination of candidates will be on Wednesday.
Tolentino said they would report this development to the FIVB and invite them in the elections through a video link.
FIVB, in a letter to Tolentino last month, has requested the POC to supervise the elections before the World Congress on Feb. 5 to 7.
“The FIVB wanted to recognize a legitimate volleyball NSA before its world congress. It’s urgent. Without a legitimate NSA, we cannot send national teams to FIVB-sanctioned tournaments abroad,” Tolentino had earlier said.
