FIVB taps Brazilian coach to handle PH women’s volleyball team

Photo from PNVF

MANILA, Philippines — The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has granted the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s (PNVF) request for a Brazilian coach for the national women’s team, appointing former Olympic gold medalist Jorge Edson Souza de Brito to the post.

“We are thankful for the FIVB’s quick response to our request and we are more thankful that the federation picked an excellent man for the job,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.

“With coach Jorge’s vast experience as a coach and player, we are very sure that we will get the technology transfer we have aspired for.”

Souza de Brito was part of the Brazilian team that won the gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and later coached the Brazilian women’s team to the gold medal in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

The 54-year-old Souza de Brito has vast experience as a mentor for several top clubs in the Brazilian league from 2002 onwards. He has also clinched titles and podium finishes in Turkey and Japan.

Souza de Brito will work hand-in-hand with national women’s team coach Odjie Mamon for two years upon his arrival in June or July with the FIVB subsidizing his salary, according to Suzara.

Suzara said Souza de Brito’s hiring falls under the FIVB’s coaching support for technical and tactical development of national teams project agreement.

“The FIVB will be paying for coach Jorge’s salary but the PNVF will be responsible for his accommodation, food and local transport,” Suzara said.

Suzara sealed the FIVB assistance in a recent virtual meeting with FIVB General Manager Fabio Azevedo, Head of Technical and Development Department Steve Tutton, Director for Asia and Oceania Luis Alexandre Pontes Rodrigues and Sports Development Department Hitesh Malhotra. PNVF board member Ricky Palou joined Suzara in the meeting.

Suzara said the PNVF applied for the FIVB’s development project platform to strengthen the women’s team that hasn’t won a Southeast Asian Games medal since 2005. The FIVB also granted Kenya, Argentina and Turkey the same privilege last year.

“I would like to emphasize that we are very serious on improving our women’s national team,” Suzara said. “At the moment, he (Souza de Brito)will focus on the women’s team only, and let’s see if we can expand later to the youth squad.”

Souza de Brito’s appointment came just days after the PNVF successfully conducted a three-day bubble tryout for the indoor and beach volleyball national teams.