The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is leaving no stone unturned as it moves "Together As One" with the Philippine government and the MVP Group of Companies for the hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
The Philippines is on a steady track to a successful hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship on September 12 to 28.
With still over 200 days to go, the host country led by Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), is leaving no stone unturned in an all-out preparation for the world’s biggest volleyball event following an inter-agency meeting with government and private stakeholders to start the New Year.
“We’re moving forward with the preparations. It’s a lot of work so we need all the support and help from all the stakeholders and sponsors,” said PNVF and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who met with the Executive Board of the Local Organizing Committee for the FIVB MWCH 2025 yesterday at the newly-minted PNVF headquarters in Taguig.
“We’ll make this happen alongside the new slogan of the FIVB, which is ‘Together As One’. Tuloy-tuloy po tayo.”
Present were Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan of the MVP Group of Companies. Senator Pia Cayetano is also part of the committee.
The FIVB MWCH 2025 will be the country’s first-ever hosting of a World Cup-level volleyball tournament, featuring a bigger cast of 32 best nations for also the first time in volleyball federation’s history.
And more than just volleyball, the massive conclave will provide a boost in the country’s booming tourism industry as the Philippines brims with confidence in staging it in flying colors.
“We’re grateful for all the work that has been put in for the Philippines to be ready to host this very exciting sports tourism event,” said Secretary Frasco, who co-chairs the Executive Board with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and William Vincent Araneta Marcos, son of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.
“It’s for the country. And we’re very confident that this will be a very memorable and successful hosting by the Philippines that will bring volleyball fans and players from all over the world.”
The rest of the Executive Board echoed the same confidence and trust in making it happen for the Philippines, especially with the experience of hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup under the leadership of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus and PLDT honcho Manny V. Pangilinan.
“This is reminiscent of the preparations we made for the FIBA World Cup but this time it’s 32 countries so double the number of the participating countries. It’s bigger hopefully in participation of countries and tourist arrivals. We’re pleased to partner with government in this effort,” said Pangilinan, in full support of the volleyball tilt this time around.
“It’s the same people involved in the FIBA World Cup hosting, from the private sector to the government, legislators and NSAs so we’re confident that this hosting will also be a great success,” beamed Bachmann.
But more than just serving as good hosts to the world’s top volleyball nations, the FIVB MCWH 2025 will be a glimpse of the country’s next big hosting and that’s the 2033 Southeast Asian Games.
“Just like the FIBA World Cup, the POC is in full support for this hosting. Just like basketball, now it’s volleyball. We’re preparing also for the 2023 SEA Games hosting in Manila so it’s an all-out preparation for all of us,” revealed Tolentino.
The Inter-Agency meeting to start the New Year on a high note was just one of the many stages of the Philippines’ year-long preparations after the Official Draw and a concert in Malacañang last September hosted by President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to signal the One-Year Countdown.
From here, the Philippines will hold an International Road Show around the world, Mascot Contest and Launch, Trophy Tour, Media Broadcast Conference, Team Managers Meeting, Test Event and the 100-Day Countdown in June.
The Philippines, represented by Alas Pilipinas, will be in its second World Cup appearance since the 1974 edition in Mexico against 11-time African champion Tunisia, current Africa titlist and Paris Olympian Egypt, and 2024 Asian Championship runner-up Iran in Group A.