The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) gathered with major volleyball stakeholders on Saturday, January 16, 2020, and laid the groundwork for the creation of a new national federation for the sport that would secure the recognition of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino presided over the important meeting among the stakeholders and POC officials at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. The elections will be held on January 25 elections at the East Ocean Seafoods Restaurant in Parañaque City.

“Volleyball is already unified at last and the true winner here is Philippine volleyball,” Tolentino said.

In attendance were Alliances of Philippine Volleyball Inc.’s Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. secretary-general Ariel Paredes and Philippine Volleyball Federation secretary-general Rustico “Otie” Camangian.

Also present were Ricky Palou and Tony Boy Liao of Sports Vision that organizes the Premier Volleyball League.

Joining Tolentino were POC Secretary General Atty. Ed Gastanes, membership and accreditation committee head Atty. Billy Sumagui and legal officer Atty. Wharton Chan.

Tolentino said the new national sports federation—which has yet to assume an official name—will be composed of 13 positions from the chairman, president and down to the members of the board.

Sumagui said the deadline, validation and submission of voting members will be today (Monday, January 18) the nomination of candidates will be on Wednesday.

“We will report this to the FIVB and we’re going to invite them in the elections through video link,” Tolentino said.

The FIVB requested the POC to supervise the creation—through general elections—of the national sports association. The international body withdrew its recognition of a Philippine federation in 2016.