RAMON ‘Tats’ Suzara is the new executive vice president of the FIVB, volleyball’s world governing body.
Suzara was appointed by newly-elected FIVB president Fabio Azevedo at the tail-end of the 39th FIVB World Congress in Porto, Portugal. He will serve a fresh eight-year term from 2024 to 2032.
READ: Alas men draw Egypt, Tunisia, Iran in FIVB World Championship
The concurrent PNVF and AVC chief will step into a bigger role as part of the FIVB Board of Administration alongside leaders and representatives from the four other continental confederations.
As per the FIVB General Regulations, among Suzara’s primary functions as EVP include the administration of regional programs and activities aimed at the development of the sport in Asia.
Embedded in his duties as local and regional head, and now an FIVB leader, is the technical supervision of the forthcoming 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship (MWCH) in the Philippines.
The annual men’s conclave will stage its biggest edition yet in Manila with a 32-team field, the most for an FIVB world championship event.
It will also be a historic single-country hosting event for the Philippines two years since joining forces with Japan and Indonesia to stage the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Welcome ‘home,’ volleyball
Speaking before the sport’s leaders in the 39th FIVB World Congress, Suzara, in only his third month as AVC chief, presented his regional report highlighted by record numbers during the Philippines’ third successive hosting of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
He vowed that the oncoming major volleyball events in Asia and the Philippines will put the Filipinos’ passion for the game at the forefront of a ‘home-like’ experience for the rest of the world.
“We can’t get enough of volleyball. The Philippines is a country that loves volleyball […] The rest of the world does not know yet that we love volleyball and that Filipino volleyball fans set the standard,” Suzara said.
“We scream and cheer louder than anyone else. We bring our love for the game in the arenas, online and wherever we go. We warmly welcome anyone who plays the game.
“Even foreign players and fans feel right at home because as long as you love volleyball, the Philippines will feel like you’re home.”
Alas Pilipinas Men will stake its claim in the world's biggest men's volleyball competition where the hosts were drawn in Pool A with 11-time African champion and world No. 24 Tunisia, defending African champion and world #20 Egypt, and current Asian runner-up and world #15 Iran.
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