“As they say, teamwork makes the dream work and this meeting is a first major step towards the dream of a successful bid and eventual hosting of the men’s world championship,” Tats Suzara, the president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation said.
In lieu of the 2025 FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball; International Volleyball Federation), the Philippines is bidding to host the international sports event.
The representative expressed the nation’s fervent desire to showcase its prowess on the global stage during a special briefing. Tats Suzara, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, and Senator Pia Cayetano attended the meeting, taking the crucial step towards achieving a successful international tournament hosted by the country.
The bid was backed by the Philippines’ impressive track record in hosting the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in 2022 and 2023, an act which FIVB officials praised including Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor and Chief Business Officer Guido Betti.
These successful past collaborations together with overwhelming support from fans leaves the country eagerly awaiting the FIVB’s decision. The announcement of the bid winner will be revealed in the final week of March.
Should the bid be successful, the Philippines plans to hold the FIVB World Men’s Championship in either the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum or the Mall of Asia Arena.
“We see a massive potential in the Philippines. We decided to bring the VNL here two years ago and the fandom was crazy. We’re overwhelmed and with that being said, players will be happy to come back,” the FIVB Chief Business Officer said.
