New volleyball NSA set to take shape

Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (third from left) and volleyball stakeholders (from left) Ariel Paredes, Ramon “Tats” Suzara, and Rustico “Otie” Camangian pose for unity.

By Dugout Philippines

MANILA--The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) herded major volleyball stakeholders on Saturday and laid the groundwork for the creation of a new national federation for the sport that would secure the recognition of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino presided over the important meeting among the stakeholders and POC officials at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel where a Jan. 25 election was set at the East Ocean Seafoods Restaurant in Parañaque City.

“Volleyball is already unified at last and the true winner here is Philippine volleyball,” Tolentino said. 

Attending the meeting were Alliances of Philippine Volleyball Inc.’s Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Larong Volleyballl 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.

With Tolentino were POC secretary general Atty. Ed Gastanes, membership and accreditation committee head Atty. Billy Sumagui and legal officer Atty. Wharton Chan.

Tolentino said the new national sports federation—which has yet to assume an official name—will be composed of 13 positions from the chairman, president and down to the members of the board.

Sumagui said the deadline, validation and submission of voting members will be on Monday, while the nomination of candidates will be on Wednesday.  

“We will report this to the FIVB and we’re going to invite them in the elections through video link,” Tolentino said.

The FIVB requested the POC to supervise the creation—through general elections—of the national sports association. The international body withdrew its recognition of a Philippine federation since 2016.

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