Ipinahayag ni International Volleyball Federation president Dr. Ary Graca na magiging sentro ng atensyon ang Pilipinas sa pagiging host sa FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship sa Oktubre 18-23.
Ayon kay Graca, malaking tulong sa programa ng bansa ang pagdating ng mga premyadong koponan na makapagbibigay ng hindi matatawarang aksiyon gayundin ang pagpapalawig ng kaalaman sa sports.
“This is a historic moment for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship and to break new ground with the Philippines is very pleasing,” pahayag ni Graça, matapos ang paglagda sa memorandum of agreement (MOA) sa mga lokal na volleyball official at organizer.
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“The Philippines has a great tradition of hosting international women’s volleyball and now joins a long list of prestigious hosts of the FIVB’s signature women’s club event, providing a new opportunity for Philippine’s volleyball and its passionate fans to once again embrace international women’s volleyball and enjoy it.”
Susundan ng Pilipinas ang Brazil (1991, 1994), Italy (1992), Qatar (2010, 2011, 2012) at Switzerland (2013, 2014, 2015) bilang host country ng prestihiyosong FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.
Ito ang unang pagkakataon na ang World Championship sa volleyball ay isasagawa sa bansa at makapagbibigay ng impresibong hosting portfolio matapos na unang maging host ng FIVB’s premier annual women’s volleyball competition na World Grand Prix.
Ang FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship ay isasagawa Mall of Asia Arena na may seating capacity na 15,000.
Nasabi ni Philippine Super Liga president Ramon Suzara na ang pag-oorganisa ng torneo ay isang malaking karangalan para sa bansa.
“The 2016 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship will be one, if not the biggest, of the major international tournaments we will be hosting here in the Philippines,” pahayag ni Suzara.
“Therefore, we are going to build a special organisation team with Eventcourt in order to provide a tournament of historic proportions.
“Philippine volleyball is experiencing a renaissance. But our athletes have been participating at international competitions only lately. The FIVB, however, has been very supportive of our endeavours to make the Philippines a strong sporting country again.”
Kumpiyansa naman si FIVB Executive member Stav Jacobi na ang Pilipinas ang perpektong lugar para mag-host sa kinukonsiderang “pinnacle” ng women’s volleyball club competition. (ANGIE OREDO)
