Everyone will “feel at home” and comfortable when the Philippines plays host for the first time the FIVB Men’s World Championship (MWCH) 2025 in September next year.
And the world of volleyball will get to know that the sport is well-loved by Filipinos.
“We can’t get enough of volleyball,” Ramon “Tats” Suzara told the 39thFIVB World Congress during its main session in Porto, Portugal, over the weekend. “The Philippines is a country that loves volleyball.”
Suzara was elected in September as president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation only three years into his term as head of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
And before more than 200 members of the sport’s world body—including newly-elected FIVB president Fabio Azevedo and former president Ary Graça, both of Brazil, and secretary-general Hugh McCutcheon, of New Zealand, Suzara showed a glimpse of what to expect in the MWCH the country is hosting from September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“The rest of the world do not know that yet … that we love volleyball and that Filipino volleyball fans set the standard,” he said, mentioning unprecedented response by Filipinos to the Volleyball Nations League, or VNL, that the country hosted for three years in a row.
“We scream and cheer louder than anyone else,” added Suzara, noting that fan attendance was pegged at an average of 8,000 in those hosting with 19,000 recorded at one time last June.
“We bring our love for the game in the arenas, online and wherever we go,” he said. “We warmly welcome anyone who play the game, that even foreign players and fans feel right at home because as long as you love volleyball, the Philippines will feel like you’re home.”
Suzara also proudly announced to the congress delegates that from a low 117th in the world, the Philippine men’s team jumped to No. 64 in under three years in the post-pandemic.
PNVF vice president Ricky Palou, secretary-general Donaldo Caringal and director Tonyboy Liao joined Suzara in the congress.
