THE Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has incorporated the Korean touch in world-class marketing and public relations to the country’s first-time and solo hosting of the FIVB Men’s World Championship (MWCH) 2025 in September.
PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara personally handed the appointment of Jeon Yongjun as Director of Marketing and Public Relations of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the FIVB MWCH 2025 during an official visit last week in Seoul.
“We wish to create opportunities for South Korea in the world of volleyball,” said Suzara, also president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and executive vice president of the International Volleyball Federation, or FIVB.
Suzara said that Jeon is expected to effectively implement Korea’s marketing and promotional strategies, adding that his role will be “pivotal in driving the success and visibility of the prestigious event.”
Suzara, who was joined in the official visit in Seoul by PNVF secretary-general Donaldo Caringal and marketing head Raoul Floresca, noted that as pop culture influences consumer behavior in the Philippines, companies could capitalize as the South Korean national team takes part in the elite 32-nation world championship set from September 12 to 28.
Jeon’s appointment was made upon the recommendation of Choongwon Su, chief development officer of NEOCOLORS P&A Inc., the exclusive advertising agency and promoter for South Korea and a major partner of the PNVF.
“Filipinos are excited to watch the South Korea National Team and will be equally excited to welcome Korean brands,” said Suzara as he hinted of bringing a globally popular K-pop group for the opening ceremony of the FIVB MWCH 2025.
The LOC—co-chaired by William Vincent Araneta Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco—is determined to make the 2025 world championship the biggest volleyball event ever, confident of surpassing the 2022 edition’s reach of 1.5 billion on television and online.
“The world championship is a big opportunity for the Asian and Korean companies to be known to the billions of viewers around the world and to expand their businesses to the Philippines and Southeast Asia,” Suzara added.
Matches will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena with Korea drawn in Pool C with France, Argentina and Finland.
Host Philippines is in Pool A with Iran, Egypt and Tunisia, while titleholder Italy plays in Pool F against Ukraine, Belgium and Algeria.
Pool B has Poland, Netherlands, Qatar and Romania, while the US plays in Pool D against Cuba, Portugal and Colombia. Slovenia, Germany, Bulgaria and Chile play in Pool E, while Pool G has Japan, Canada, Türkiye and Libya. Brazil is in pool H with Serbia, Czechia and China.
AVC and PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara speaks before the39th FIVB World Congress in Porto, Portugal
EVERY single athlete, coach, delegate and fan will “feel at home” when the Philippines solo hosts for the first time the FIVB Men’s World Championship (MWCH) 2025 in September next year.
And the world of volleyball will get to find out that the sport is well-loved by Filipinos.
“We can’t get enough of volleyball,” Ramon “Tats” Suzara told the 39th FIVB World Congress during its main session in Porto, Portugal, over the weekend. “The Philippines is a country that loves volleyball.”
Suzara was elected in September as president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation only three years into his term as head of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
And before 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 showed a glimpse of what to expect in the MWCH the country is hosting from September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“The rest of the world do not know that yet … that we love volleyball and that Filipino volleyball fans set the standard,” he said, mentioning unprecedented response by Filipinos to the Volleyball Nations League, or VNL, that the country hosted for three years in a row.
“We scream and cheer louder than anyone else,” added Suzara, noting that 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,” he said. “We warmly welcome anyone who play 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.”
Suzara also proudly announced to the congress delegates that from a low 117th in the world, the Philippine men’s team jumped to No. 64 in under three years in the post-pandemic.
PNVF vice president Ricky Palou, secretary-general Donaldo Caringal and director Tonyboy Liao joined Suzara in the congress.
EXPECT fireworks right on opening day of the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup as Sweden and Belgium clash in a knockout match on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Champions of the European Golden League in Ostrava a few weeks ago, Sweden brings a formidable team led by league Most Valuable Player Isabelle Haak, who turns 25 next week.
Belgium, which defeated Romania in straight sets to earn the bronze in the European league, parades a squad featuring star outside hitter Britt Herbots, 24, and middle blocker Silke Van Avermaet, who just turned 25.
The Swedes and Belgians clash at 5 p.m. after the showdown between Puerto Rico and Kenya at 3 o’clock in the tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
European Golden League silver medalist Czech Republic, led by outside hitter Michaela Mlejnkova, battles the South American Volleyball Confederation’s Argentina, which placed third in the 2019 Challenger Cup, at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Coming off a gold medal finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup, Southeast Asia powerhouse Vietnam tests the mettle of Alas Pilipinas Women, who bagged bronze in the same tournament to post their first podium finish in a continental event.
The FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup is a knockout tournament featuring eight teams from five continental confederations vying for a spot in the elite FIVB Volleyball Nations League next year.
The survivors of the first two match days advance to Saturday’s semifinals, with the battle for third place and the gold medal match set Sunday.
Puerto Rico was among the first to qualify for the Women’s VCC, topping the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation, or NORCECA, International League Final Four last year.
Kenya boasts of the top-ranked women’s team in the African Volleyball Confederation and the squad led by captain and veteran middle blocker Trizah Atuka will make a stop in the Philippines before its stint in the Paris Olympics.
ANKARA – Türkiye eliminated China 3-1 on Sunday to win the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.
The Turkish national team won the final clash with sets of 25-22, 22-25, 25-19 and 25-16 in Arlington in Texas, USA.
It is Türkiye’s first win in the history of the FIVB Women’s World Championship.
Meanwhile, Poland got the bronze medal after beating the US team with sets of 25-15, 16-25, 25-19, 18-25 and 17-15. (Anadolu)