FINALLY, the stakeholders of Philippine volleyball have held an election that should usher in the birth of the new national sports association for volleyball in the country—the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
This should mean that the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. and the Philippine Volleyball Federation are essentially dead as the FIVB—the world volleyball federation—is expected to recognize the new org in its world congress early next month.The FIVB asked for the election and asked that both the PVF and LVPI participate.
So far, that seems to be the case as LVPI secretary-general Ariel Pares was elected chairman and PVF vice president Arnel Hajan was elected vice president.
Though in the past, I’ve sided with the PVF since I thought the group was treated unfairly by then POC president Peping Cojuangco, who set in motion the setting up of LVPI, right now, I don’t care which group takes control of the new NSA.
I just want volleyball in the country to move on. I think the NSA infighting that started almost six years ago was a huge disservice to volleyball outside Manila.
After LVPI won recognition from the POC, its activities were primarily centered on Manila, leaving the rest of the country on the outside looking in.
I hope, by attaching the word “national” to its new name, the new NSA will take up the cudgels for the sport in the provinces, after the pandemic subsides of course.
I hope, too, that somewhere down the road, the composition of its Board of Directors will change and reflect regional representation, something similar to how the Philippine Football Federation’s board is structured.
There’s no argument as to what is the No. 1 sport in the country as basketball is safely entrenched, but as to the second most popular sport? Volleyball is right there on the mix.
The rise of the pro leagues in Manila has also helped raised the sport’s profile and in the future, I want to see national step-ladder type tournaments that would allow the best provincial or even regional teams in the Visayas and Mindanao to meet the top Manila-based clubs.
A tournament like that could make the sport’s popularity go through the roof.
Yes, we had the college tournaments of the past, like the Shakey’s V-League. But a local government unit-based step-ladder competition?
But, to get there, the PNVF would have to treat the word “national” very seriously.