The formation of the Philippine volleyball teams for future international competitions will no longer be in the hands of the coaching staff alone.
Ramon Suzara, president of the newly-formed Philippine National Volleyball Federation, Inc., said selecting the players for international meets will now fall under the PNVFI national team committee.
“This department will be in charge of this. The coach will no longer be the only one to choose the players,” said Suzara during yesterday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
Suzara said the committee with its own chairman, secretary and five members will handle everything that concerns the national team for events like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and other FIVB events.
In the past, the federation names the head coach, who is then given the free hand to call for tryouts and name the members of the men’s and women’s volleyball teams.
Suzara will sit as co-chairman of the committee.
The PNVFI held its elections last month and this early, has earned the full recognition of the FIVB, the world governing body in the sport, taking the place of the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. and Philippine Volleyball Federation.
Suzara, a member of the FIVB marketing committee and head of the Asian Volleyball Confederation marketing and development committee, said he’d like to see a bigger pool of national players.
“So, we can change players anytime,” he told the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
Joining Suzara in the weekly session were PNVFI vice president Arnel Hajan, board member Charo Soriano, and national team mainstays Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago and Aby Marano.
Suzara laid down a 10-point program for the PNVFI, which includes the formation of a national league owned by the federation, bringing world-class events to the country and reviving age-group competitions nationwide.
“We’re happy that there are plans to help the growth of Philippine volleyball. This is just the beginning,” said Valdez, still considered as the face of the sport in the country.
Suzara said the PNVFI also plans to increase its membership from the current 52 to as many as 82, representing all the different provinces.
“We see a bright future. When we become inclusive it’s easier to grow. We will reach out to far-flung areas and extend the beauty of volleyball. This is just the first step. A lot of things need to be done,” said Soriano.
“There is no substitute to unity and genuine change,” said Hajan.
