Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tats Suzara said the country is nearly ready to host the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, encouraging fans to secure their tickets and rally behind the world-class event.
Suzara noted that aside from ironing out minor details, the only remaining task for the local organizing committee is to intensify promotional efforts, particularly for matches that have yet to generate strong interest.
“I think hosting the event, we are ready,” said Suzara, who also serves as executive vice president of the FIVB. “We just need to push more promotions for the ticket sales, lalo ’yung mga matches na ’di pa masyadong popular. We need to promote it.
“I need the help of the media to promote the event, especially the opening ceremony. We have one month [from] Philippines-Tunisia, and we have the opening ceremony event,” he added, pointing out that special ticket packages for schools, students, and local government units are now available at www.philippineswch2025.com.
Suzara made the call for stronger promotions during the launch event yesterday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, where the PNVF officially kicked off the country’s hosting of the tournament.
The launch also unveiled the tournament’s official mascots — Kid Lat, Koolog, and Hataw — alongside a lively performance from Karencitta, who sang the event’s official theme song Electrify.
“Well, today is electrifying. We had the launch of the mascots here, we had a theme song, we [unveiled] the official Mikasa ball, and I’m very happy that all the representatives of the 31 embassies are here today,” said Suzara.
“I think 30 days to go, we are ready. Ready na ang volleyball fans, buy more tickets, sa mga fans natin. We need to promote more para sa mga provincial fans natin,” added the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) president, who co-chairs the LOC alongside presidential son Vinny Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
Absent from the festivities was Alas Pilipinas Men, currently overseas for the final stretch of its world championship buildup. The team is holding training camps in Morocco, Portugal, and Romania.
Suzara said the final roster of Alas Pilipinas Men — along with those of the 31 other nations competing in the tournament — will be revealed two days before the competition begins.
“Yes, our Alas Men’s team is in Portugal and Romania, they’re working so hard so that they can improve our level, and I hope we can really play better for the World Championships,” he said.
“Well, the final roster is only two days before. Lahat ng teams ‘yan. September 10, sa preliminary inquiry so dun natin malalaman. Pero of course, the top stars are already coming but the final 14 will only come September 10.”
