THE Philippine Olympic Committee’s (POC) effort to unify the volleyball community and establish a new national federation for the sport lured the support of four members of the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF).
PVF vice president Dr. Arnel Hajan of the Zamboanga Peninsula wrote POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Tuesday to express their support for the unification effort that will culminate with an election on Monday at the East Ocean Garden Restaurant in Parañaque City.
The letter stated that the PVF, a major stakeholder of the sport, is endorsing Hajan, Nestor Bello of Metro Manila, Yul Benosa of North Luzon and Garry Hamili of Visayas for the elections.
In an interview by the BusinessMirror, Hajan and company said they are defying PVF president Edgardo Cantada’s order of not participating in the POC-supervised exercise.
“We are very much willing to participate because we want genuine changes so we can bring Philippine volleyball to greater heights,” said Hajan, adding they would participate in the election online.
“It’s not the position that matters, but the changes,” Hajan said. “I know Mr. Cantada will not like our decision but then we are united as a super majority from the Mindanao, Visayas and Metro Manila.”
Hajan said the PVF has 20 members—11 from Mindanao, six from Luzon and Metro Manila and three from the Visayas.
Tolentino welcomed the PVF members’ gesture.
“They [PVF officers] are very welcome to join the unification and election process. They have until tomorrow [Wednesday] to confirm their participation,” Tolentino said.
The POC through membership and accreditation head Atty. Billy Sumagui determined the legitimate voting members for the election on Monday, while the filing of candidacy is set on Wednesday.
Joey Romasanta, president of the other major stakeholder Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc., already expressed his support to the unification process and stressed he won’t take part in the election.
“I’m already retired,” he told BusinessMirror on Monday, adding he is thankful that Tolentino is exerting realistic efforts to unify Philippine volleyball.
The International Volleyball Federation listed the PVF on its members’ roster since 2016, but withheld official recognition of the organization. The POC, then headed by Jose Cojuangco Jr., refused recognition of the PVF and instead created the LVPI.
But the FIVB also didn’t consider the LVPI as an affiliate, but allowed the group to handle the selection and participation of the national team to international competitions.
The FIVB than asked the POC twice last year to supervise the election for the volleyball national sports association, saying it is imperative for a Philippine national federation to be recognized during the world body’s congress which will be held online from February 5 to 7.