Suzara: PNVF rushing volleyball teams creation for vaccine procurement

FILE — Philippine women’s volleyball team at the SEA Games in Singapore. Photo by Raffy Lerma

MANILA, Philippines—The national federation for volleyball is rushing the creation of the country’s volleyball teams not just for optimal preparation but also for the inclusion of athletes and coaches in the COVID-19 vaccination plan.

Ramon “Tats” Suzara, the president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, said they’re trying to come up with the national teams as early as the first week of May so they could submit the lineups to the Philippine Olympic Committee and get them in the vaccination queue.

Tryouts for the indoor volleyball teams are set for April 28 and 29 and beach volleyball squads for April 30, both set to take place in Subic.

“I’m rushing these tryouts so that by the first week of May we can submit the lineups and that they will be included in the vaccination plan,” said Suzara in an interview with Inquirer Friday.

Suzara added that national athletes and coaches for the 2021 Southeast Asian Games will be vaccinated with Moderna vaccines.

Dr. Raul Canlas, the PNVF Medical Commission head, is coordinating with POC first vice president Al Panlilio, who was named taskforce chair for vaccine procurement, for the volleyball and beach volleyball teams’ vaccines.

Suzara they are looking to start the training for Hanoi SEA Games next Month until November 15.