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)