FILE–A VNL game between Japan and Italy during the Philippines’ hosting of the international event at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City in July 2023.
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is bidding to host the 2025 FIVB World Men’s Championship as it hopes to field the men’s volleyball team against the 31 best squads around the globe.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tats Suzara on Thursday has formally expressed the country’s desire to host the world tilt after a special briefing on Thursday.
“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,” said Suzara.
READ: VNL hosting just the start as PNVF has plans for ‘bigger event’
Suzara with volleyball advocate Senator Pia Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco met the FIVB brass Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor and Chief Business Officer Guido Betti.
The FIVB officials praised the country’s hosting of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in 2022 and 2023.
“The VNL last year at the MOA Arena was the best event of the VNL and we had 14 stops around the world,” Finn said. “It shows that the Philippines has embraced the best of volleyball and we were able to see that not only the fans embraced the players but teams embraced the fans.”
READ: Tats Suzara hopes PH VNL hosting motivates Filipino volleyball players
“They can’t wait to come back.”
The country hosted VNL men’s and women’s at Smart Araneta Coliseum in 2022 and the men’s division last year at Mall of Asia Arena. The country will host another leg of the men’s VNL this year in June.
Both venues are being eyed for the FIVB World Men’s Championship next year.
“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,” Betti said. “Love from the people here was unique that all the volleyball players are dreaming of.”
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The Philippines, which hasn’t been to the men’s world championship since the 1974 edition in Mexico, will hear the conclusion of its bidding from the FIVB and Volleyball World in the final week of March.
