VOLLEYBALL officials have hit reboot, hoping to restore stability and credibility to the sport’s national federation after months of turmoil.
With the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) presiding over more than 35 volleyball stakeholders on Monday at the Southlinks Boardroom of Solaire Resort in Parañaque, all members of the suspended Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) board have agreed to resign to pave the way for a new one.
The new leadership structure will mirror other sports federations, with no chairman of the board and the secretary-general to be appointed and not elected.
POC president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino was pleased as Philippine volleyball, which is gearing up for important international stints such as the Asian Games, can move forward as one.
‘That’s the first step and they all agreed to resign,’ Tolentino said.
Another assembly will be called on August 10 to tackle the next steps toward fresh elections of the federation.
The assembly also approved a restructured 13-member board to include athlete representatives from both indoor volleyball (male) and beach volleyball (female), plus one each from the major collegiate leagues National Collegiate Athletic Association and University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
The POC will also have a seat in the board.
‘This is to introduce inclusivity and, more importantly, that the stakeholders prioritize the call of the national team,’ added Tolentino who presided over the assembly with POC secretary-general Wharton Chan.
The PNVF under president Tony Boy Liao, elected in November last year, was suspended by the FIVB in May due to governance concerns and alleged violations of the international federation’s Code of Ethics.
An ad hoc committee was formed to oversee Philippine volleyball to ensure that the teams would be able to continue international obligations.
The crisis further deepened as, while Alas Pilipinas competed in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s Cup in Candon, a letter signed by PNVF board members withdrawing support for Liao surfaced online. The letter was signed by chairman Arnel Hajan, vice president Yul Benosa, secretary general Otie Camangian, auditor Roger Banzuela, Sherwin Magada, Fr. Victor Calvo, Danilo Cong-o, Socorro Calleja-Uy and Edward Lee.
Days later PNVF declared Frank Lao of Strong Group Athletics as president, but that was declared null by the POC because of the suspension. Lao attended the general assembly on Monday.