PH spikers to get financial support from FIVB

NAYPYITAW—Good news for the Philippine volleyball team.

China’s Wei Jeizhong, the life honorary president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), has asked Southeast Asian federations to submit a development plan for the growth of the sport in their respective countries.

Wei, who also sits as honorary president of the Asian Volleyball Federation, announced that the FIVB has a war chest containing 1.3 million Swiss francs (P64.5 million) ready to be spent for the programs of SEA volleyball federations, including the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF).

“The problem is the national federations. They haven’t applied for the money,” said Wei during the 27th Southeast Asian Games volleyball event held at Zayar Thiri Stadium.

Though women’s volleyball is slowly creeping into the mainstream similar to basketball and boxing, the leadership struggle at PVF hasn’t been entirely fixed yet.

“We already told them we have the money and we have the equipment,”  said Wei.  “They should submit a plan.”

The Shakey’s V-League and the Super Liga are just two of the tournaments where Filipino volleyball players could showcase their skills.

Since winning the gold in the 1993 Singapore meet and a bronze in the 2005 Manila Games, it was all downhill for Filipino tossers. The Philippines also failed to bring a team here.  The men’s team got a bronze in the 1991 Manila Games and a silver in 1977 in Kuala Lumpur.

Thailand topped the SEA Games, which ended Sunday, with 107 gold, 94 silver and 81 bronze medals. Men’s and women’s volleyball were among the events the Thais won.