FIVB president Fabio Azevedo and PNVF president Ramon "Tats" Suzara. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATED) – Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) president Fabio Azevedo paid a visit to the Philippines, ahead of the country's hosting of the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championships in September.
Azevedo met with Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president and Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon "Tats" Suzara when he dropped by the PNVF office in Bonifacio Global City on Thursday.
Suzara said Azevedo and Guido Betti, chief business officer of Volleyball World, are in the Philippines to check the country's preparations and progress for the Men's Volleyball World Championships.
"This important visit, very short, just two days because the FIVB president will proceed to Palau for the Pacific Games. Despite his busy schedule, he is here to make sure that we are on track and what the President told me is the quality, the world-class quality of our preparations," he added.
With 73 days left before the tournament, Suzara said there is still a lot to be done.
"Important is support of the government, from the private sector, from the sponsors are still there. I assured the President that government is there. There will be a meeting later," Suzara added.
"We appreciate President Fabio for the visit here. Quick visit but there is a lot of information that will guide us to hold this successful world-class event for the first time in the Philippines," he said.
Azevedo said they are confident of the Philippines' preparations for the international competition.
"We have no doubt the World Championships in 2025 will be a great success, a remarkable success in the Philippines. We will show Philippines to the world through amazing matches of volleyball being held here," he said.
Azevedo lauded the many "firsts" of the Philippines' hosting: the first time the FIVB will play the tournament with 32 teams and the first time the competition will be held every two years instead of four.
"Our expectation is very high. We put the bar very high for the country because it's not the first time the Philippines has organized a big event. As Ramon already said, they organized already VNL with great success," Azevedo said.
He also attributed the high expectations due to the hospitality of not just the organizers but also the fans and their support during matches.
Azevedo encouraged Filipinos to take advantage of the rare opportunity and come watch the games.
"This World Championships will not only be an opportunity to see the best athletes, the best teams will be here. But this will be an amazing experience. This will be an amazing entertainment, there will be great opportunity with your family and kids," he added.
He also said the tournament will provide the public, especially kids, to play the sport like they did during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"The innovation is making the sport more accessible. The innovation is to improve the content production and distribution. Innovation is to make our stars and our athletes even more relevant. That is why we're investing heavily in content production," Azevedo explained.
PH FANS TO BOOST FIVB WORLDS FIVB
President Azevedo said they are banking on the passion of the Filipino volleyball fans and several innovations for the country's successful hosting of the Men's Volleyball World Championships. The FIVB official believes these two combined will help boost the event, while promoting the top volleyball stars to the world.
"You have this power here in the country which is the power of a young generation promoting values and promoting stars. Philippines is a young country, very digital oriented and you love the sport,” Azevedo told reporters during his visit to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation office in Bonifacio Global City.
The FIVB official cited the "fan zone experience" as a major innovation for the upcoming global tournament, similar to that of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"You love many teams in the world and not just your own national team. Your fans are already following Japan they are rockstars here, equally USA, Poland, Brazil. The fanbase is a very hot one I would say and they are keen for content," he added.
The FIVB President shared what the organization saw in Asia when it decided to bring the Men's Volleyball Championships to the Philippines. "This year we are running eight World Championships. Seven of them are in Asia. The clear message is today we have 52% of the fanbase of volleyball is in Asia. It's clear for us the future of volleyball is achieving the Asian territory. Southeast Asia here is an amazing opportunity for all of us," Azevedo said.
He is confident the Philippines will raise the bar for hosting global tournaments, given its prior experience, passionate fanbase and innovations. "You're gonna see our athletes everywhere in the city. You're gonna see them experience every beautiful thing in your country: the gastronomy, the entertainment, the beaches, everything else," Azevedo said. "73 days from now you're gonna see your country turn into a volleyball country," he shared.
FIVB PRESIDENT'S ASSESSMENT
Azevedo shared his assessment of the Philippines' preparations for the Men's Volleyball World Championships.
"That stage, we are still not seeing concrete things because they are to come," he said.
"In terms of venues we are great, in terms of hotels we are great... the logistic part of the event, the infrastructure of the event we are absolutely well-prepared. One thing that gives us to us comfort is the huge experience of the people here, the leadership," he added.
Azevedo said the PNVF, under the leadership of Suzara, have proven they can organize a successful event like the Volleyball Nations League.
The FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championships will take place from September 12 to 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
WORLD VOLLEYBALL DAY
The FIVB president also called on Filipinos to join in celebrating World Volleyball Day on July 7, Monday.
"This campaign is to send a message to everyone that the action to keep the ball flying, action to keep the ball in the air is considered volleyball," he said.
"We want to give to society, we want to share to society the events of our support mainly the big venue of collaboration. Volleyball is a sport of collaboration. We can only touch the ball once, we need each other to play the game. We want to spread the message," Azevedo added.
According to the AVC, July 7 commemorates the first public demonstration of volleyball by William Morgan in 1895.
World volleyball officials hope the date will serve as a global celebration of the sport every year.