MANILA: The Philippines’ solo hosting of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship has gotten a major boost after First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos vowed her support during the organizational meeting held at the PMS Building in Malacañang on Tuesday.

‘The First Lady readily gave her full support to the country’s solo hosting of the world championship. She’s so enthusiastic about the event and showed everyone in the room her love for sports,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara in a statement released to the media on Wednesday.

Presidential son William Vincent Araneta Marcos also joined the meeting which set the foundation of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the tournament scheduled from Sept. 12 to 28, 2025 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Also present were Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who gave a general briefing on the 32-nation competition which will be hosted by an
Asian country for the second time after Japan in 1998 and 2006.

‘For the first time in several years, we’ll host the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025. All systems are now off and running and we’re bound to become the best host ever for the world championship,’ said Cayetano, also the PNVF chairman.

Citing the successful hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 FIBA Championship, Cayetano said hosting the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship will give the Philippines another chance to shine on the global stage.

“We are still known worldwide as the most hospitable people. I’m talking about how we, as a nation, welcome the rest of the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, Frasco has assured the DOT’s comprehensive and encompassing support to the event.

‘The DOT will form a consortium for attractive packages for fans — foreign and local — with all efforts bordering on our ‘Love The Philippines’ campaign,’ she said.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachman
n, Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor, PNVF Vice President Ricky Palou, and Secretary General Donaldo Caringal, and national team member Bryan Bagunas also attended the meeting.

Source: Philippines News Agency