PH assures ‘feel-at-home’ hosting of 2025 FIVB men’s worlds

Philippine men’s volleyball stakeholders and player pool during the FIVB Volleyball World Championships 2025 hosting press conference. –PNVF PHOTO

MANILA – Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara has assured that every single athlete, coach, delegate and fan will “feel at home” when the country hosts for the first time the FIVB Men’s World Championship (MWCH) in September next year.

The tournament will be held from Sept. 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We can’t get enough of volleyball. The Philippines is a country that loves volleyball,” Suzara told the 39th FIVB World Congress during its main session in Porto, Portugal over the weekend.

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The Congress was attended by more than 200 members of the sport’s world body, including newly-elected FIVB president Fabio Azevedo and former president Ary Graça, both of Brazil; and secretary-general Hugh McCutcheon of New Zealand.

Suzara was elected Asian Volleyball Confederation president last September, only three years into his term as PNVF head.

“The rest of the world do not know that yet … that we love volleyball and that Filipino volleyball fans set the standard,” said Suzara, who noted the unprecedented response by Filipinos to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) which the Philippines hosted for three consecutive years.

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“We scream and cheer louder than anyone else.”

Suzara said fan attendance was pegged at an average of 8,000 in those hosting with 19,000 recorded at one time last June.

“We bring our love for the game in the arenas, online and wherever we go. We warmly welcome anyone who play(s) the game, that even foreign players and fans feel right at home because as long as you love volleyball, the Philippines will feel like you’re home,” he added.

Suzara also announced that the Philippines jumped to No. 64 from No. 117 in the men’s world rankings in the post-pandemic.

Also present in the FIVB Congress were PNVF vice president Ricky Palou, secretary-general Donaldo Caringal and director Tonyboy Liao.