HAVING one of the best–if not the best–fans in the world, the Philippines is out to take advantage of the opportunity to become the world’s volleyball homecourt as solo host of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025 for the first time in history.
This early, the country is ready and excited to showcase the passion and love for the game that spelled the difference in the FIVB’s decision last week to pick the Philippines as the single host in the elite conclave set for September 12 to 28, 2025.
Led by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, the Philippines’ solo hosting of the world tilt will be the culmination of its efforts to bring volleyball closer to Filipinos, highlighted by the rousing success of the Volleyball Nations League here for two years in a row with sizeable gate attendance despite the absence of a Filipino squad in the field.
That’s only the tip of the iceberg as to what the Philippines has to offer in front of the world and with unparalleled fan support on its back in welcoming the 32 best men’s volleyball teams, over 600-man delegation and thousands of fans — with open arms.
“We will make them feel at home right at our own home,” said PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who was joined by Sen. and PNVF chairman emeritus Alan Peter Cayetano, Department of Tourism Director for Film and Sports Tourism Roberto Alabado III and Cignal TV president and CEO Jane Basas at the Marquis Events Place at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City in Tuesday.
“I am ready. We are ready. The team is ready. The Philippines is ready to face the challenges and fulfill a dream as our hearts beat collectively to serve the sport,” Suzara said. “If you love volleyball, then you will surely love the Philippines.”
Cayetano, who will serve as the chairman of the Local Organizing Committee as he did in the successful Southeast Asian Games hosting by the country in 2019, eyes another legacy for the country, this time in volleyball.
“It’s how we, as a people, welcome the rest of the world. I believe that our hope in a successful hosting will be by faith and action–faith in God and action as a community,” Cayetano said. “I believe that it’s time for the world volleyball to see how united the Philippine volleyball community is.”
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino relayed his congratulations to Cayetano and the PNVF for winning the bid to host the worlds.
“Congratulations to the PNVF for all the effort and grateful to the FIVB for the trust given to us,” Tolentino said. “It shows that volleyball is very active in our country with lots of supporters and stakeholders. Now it’s another opportunity to showcase our country through sports.”
The FIVB, through its president Ary Graca, anticipates a one-of-a-kind edition of the world championship in sports-crazed Philippines that set a gate-attendance record in the FIBA World Cup last year featuring Suzara as master planner and chief implementer.
“We are confident that the Philippines will host an extraordinary World Championship that will leave a lasting legacy and help cultivate an even brighter future for our sport globally,” Graca beamed last week in Lausanne where he announced the Philippines as solo host at the FIVBA headquarters.
Ensuring to make it happen in style is the Department of Tourism as the biggest volleyball event in the world — riding on the heels of the largest basketball showpiece last year — serves as a vital part in transforming the Philippines into a “tourism powerhouse in Asia”.
