MANILA – The newly-organized Philippine National Volleyball Federation Incorporated (PNVFI) has elected its first set of officials on Monday.
The new organization will be the national governing body for volleyball.
After the election set at the East Ocean Palace Restaurant in Parañaque, Ramon “Tats” Suzara was named the PNVFI’s founding president, getting all the votes of the 31 people who participated in the inaugural polls.
“I will do my best as the new president,” said Suzara, who represented the Alliances of Philippine Volleyball Incorporated (APVI).
Arnel Hajan, previously linked to the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF), was named vice president.
Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) secretary-general Ariel Paredes was elected PNVFI chairman, while Donaldo Caringal, also of APVI, was named PNVFI secretary-general.
Rod Roque, also of LVPI and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, was elected treasurer and PVF’s Yul Benosa as auditor.
Ricky Palou, Tony Boy Liao, Karl Chan, Charo Soriano, Carmela Gamboa, and Fr. Vic Calvo were named into the first PNVFI executive board, while lawyer Wharton Chan will be the Philippine Olympic Committee’s (POC) representative to the board.
The POC supervised the first PNVFI election.
“We are thankful to all the stakeholders. We’ve been longing for this and the true winner here is Philippine volleyball,” POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.
He then said that the PNVFI will be formally recognized during the POC general assembly on Thursday, while the POC executive board will approve the election results the day before.Tolentino added that the POC will also submit the PNVFI election results to the FIVB, which is expected to formally recognize the new organization as its Philippine arm during its world congress from Feb. 5-7. (PNA)