Southeast Asia took center stage Friday with the inauguration of the first-ever Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) House in Bangkok, as Thailand nears the conclusion of the FIVB Women’s World Championship and the Philippines prepares to host the men’s edition next week.
“This is the home of Asian volleyball now, and it will be easier for us to work around here with the success of volleyball in Southeast Asia,” AVC president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who also heads the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), said.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio joined FIVB president Fabio Azevedo, former chief Ari Graça, and former AVC head Rita Subowo in the historic ceremony.
“All volleyball stakeholders are welcome, especially in Asia—volleyball fans, universities, club teams — and of course, we are open to many other sports stakeholders,” added Suzara, who was accompanied by PNVF secretary-general Donaldo Caringal and Mayor Eric Singson, who is bidding to host the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City.
Joining Suzara, Azevedo, and Gregorio in raising their glasses to the new AVC House — a two-storey mansion on a 2,800-square-meter lot in Bangkok’s Khet Saphan Sung district — were Thailand Volleyball Association president Somporn Chaibangyang and National Olympic Committee secretary-general Thana Chaiprasit.
“I’m extremely happy and proud of our volleyball leadership in Asia led by President Ramon Suzara. The Volleyball Asia House is magnificent and amazing,” Azevedo said.
“What a great place to serve as the hub of volleyball in Asia. We are moving ‘together as one,’ as President Suzara said.”
The women’s world championship in Thailand holds its semifinals today, with Türkiye facing Italy and Brazil also in action, before the medal matches on Sunday.
The Philippines will follow as host of the 32-nation men’s world championship, opening with its Pool A match against Tunisia at 4:30 PM on Friday, September 12, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Tickets for the Philippine World Championship are available via the official website: https://www.philippineswch2025.com.
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