In its first general assembly for the year, held on Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt in Taguig, the Philippine Olympic Committee granted the newly-minted Philippine National Volleyball Federation probationary status.
This means that the national sports agency led by Tats Suzara will be recognized as the volleyball body by the POC, removing both the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas and Philippine Volleyball Federation.
The PNVF was formally created last Monday after an election was held at East Ocean Palace. Participating were stakeholders from the Alliance of Philippine Volleyball, LVPI, and PVF, as well as pro league PVL, UAAP, NCAA, among others.
However, according to a report by Reuben Terrado of SPIN.ph, the opposition bloc of the POC questioned the identity of the PNVF.
“He is representing a group called FESSAP [Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines] which in my years in volleyball, I never encountered in the volleyball community,” said track and field president and Philippine Superliga chairman Popoy Juico referring to Suzara.
The PNVF will only receive full member status after it submits its by-laws and incorporation documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
However, weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella also questioned Suzara for still not giving the financial reports of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Suzara was the president of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee.
Puentevella’s motion was denied by POC president Bambol Tolentino, while secretary-general Atty. Ed Gastanes asked the weightlifting head to submit a formal protest if he pleases.
