The long-standing row involving volleyball may be resolved soon. With relentless requests being made by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)— will supervise elections for the national sports association of the sport late this month.

No less than POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino revealed that the POC will be hands-on in the electoral process. The elections are set either in the third or fourth week of January.

The FIVB, through its Director General Fabio Azevedo, wrote to Tolentino for the second time last December 7 to reiterate the international federation’s desire for Philippine volleyball to hold elections. They first wrote to Tolentino in August 2020.

“There was already a request from the FIVB some time ago to hold a volleyball election before the FIVB’s general assembly this February,” Tolentino said. “Without a legitimate NSA, we cannot send national teams to FIVB-sanctioned tournaments abroad.”

Neither the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. nor the Philippine Volleyball Federation is recognized by the FIVB.

“Therefore, we will ask all volleyball stakeholders to cooperate and participate in the elections,” Tolentino said after the POC Executive Board held its first meeting for 2021 at the East Ocean Garden Restaurant in Pasay City.

The FIVB, Azevedo furthered in his December letter, wanted a Philippine volleyball body to be formed before its World Congress takes place online from February 5 to 7.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to kindly ask you to schedule a date as soon as possible for these democratic elections with the participation of all relevant stakeholders,” wrote Azevedo, who also congratulated Tolentino for his election as POC head.

“The FIVB wanted to recognize a legitimate volleyball NSA before its world congress. It’s urgent,” Tolentino stressed.

Tolentino added that a committee will be created to supervise the volleyball NSA elections.