FILE–PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara. Suzara disclosed that the Philippines won’t be picked as host for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is no longer in contention to host the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025.
During the press conference about the country’s successful bid for the Men’s World Championship next year, Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tats Suzara bared that the FIVB and Volleyball World are choosing between Thailand, which is likely the winner, Vietnam, and Hong Kong for the women’s world tilt.
“As we go on several months [later since the bid], there were a lot of procedures and changes. As you know, there are also many countries bidding for the Women’s World Championship,” said Suzara.
READ: PNVF to bid for hosting of 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship
Suzara announced the country’s bidding for the women’s world championship in July last year during the Volleyball Nations League men’s leg in Manila.
“There’s a shift because of the market, of the economic impact. The men’s VNL, for the last two years, has had a big impact on the fans. Now I heard for the Women’s World Championship, there’s Thailand now, Vietnam, and Hong Kong who are in the last few stages now,” Suzara said.
“I think, I’m not so sure, but Thailand is making a big push because they’re a higher world ranking team, Thailand. You know, the tourism minister of Thailand is very enthusiastic about having a single-hosting (tournament), this is what I heard. The Women’s World Championship [host] will be announced by April.”
READ: Philippines set to host 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship
The PNVF expressed its desire to bid for the men’s volleyball championship on February 29 and earned the hosting rights on March 20.
Suzara and the PNVF chairman emeritus Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who will chair the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) next year, are still hoping to bring the women’s world championship after 2027, which already has a host country but has yet to announce the name.
“Sinabi nga sa’kin ni Senator Alan (Cayetano) after we won this bid, sunod naman Women’s World Championship. Because now, the World Championship, hindi na every four years. It’s every two years because there’s a lot of demand from the national federations, from countries to host world championships,” Suzara said.