One of the world’s most talked about presidents has officially declared October 2016 as a “Volleyball Month” in the Philippines.
Government support continues to pour in as President Rodrigo Duterte issued a proclamation that declares October as Volleyball Month in line with the country’s hosting of the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship starting this Tuesday (Oct. 18) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In Proclamation No. 80 signed last Oct. 11, Duterte ordered to shift the national attention to the staging of this prestigious tournament where the best club teams from Turkey, Switzerland, Brazil, Italy, Japan and Thailand will clash for pride, honor and glory.
It is the first time in two decades that a Chief Executive declared a volleyball month, serving as morale booster to this world-class event organized by the Philippine Superliga (PSL) and Eventcourt with TV5, Petron, Asics, BMW and F2 Logistics as official sponsors, Diamond Hotel as official residence and Turkish Airlines as official airline.
The House of Representatives also honored the PSL-F2 Logistics Manila squad that will compete against topnotch teams VakifBank Istanbul, Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul, Volero Zurich, Rexona-Sesc Rio, Pomi Casalmaggiore and Bangkok Glass.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez as well as Rep. Mikee Romero, Rep. Eric Pineda, Rep. Len Alonte, Rep. Chiqui Roa Puno and Rep. Arnulfo Teves rolled out the red carpet, vowing that they will reach out to their respective constituents to help boost the spectators of this week-long spectacle that also has Philippine Sports Commission, Rexona, Mall of Asia Arena, Foton and Price Waterhouse Cooper as supporters.
PSL-F2 Logistics Manila came in full force led by skipper Rachel Anne Daquis with local stars Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Frances Molina, Jen Reyes, Jaja Santiago and Jovelyn Gonzaga as well as foreign players Yevgeniya Nyukhalova, Ekaterina Krivets, Yuri Fukuda, Tichaya Boonlert, Stephanie Niemer, Lindsay Stalzer and Lynda Morales.
“We are overwhelmed with the kind of government support the getting,” said PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, adding that the last time the President declared a Volleyball Month was in 1994 when the country hosted a leg of the prestigious FIVB World Grand Prix.
“Rest assured that we will do our best to convert this support into success not only for our organization, for the fans, for Philippine volleyball, but also for the entire country. The success of this event is something we should be proud of as a sports-loving nation.”
Earlier, Duterte issued a memorandum circular ordering all government institutions like the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Department of Health, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, Department of Transportation and Communication, Bureau of Customs, Department of Tourism and Metro Manila Development Authority to provide support and assistance to the local organizing body.
The Senate also opened its doors to the team with no less than Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel lauding the organizing body, headed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
“Everybody is doing its share to make this tournament a success,” Suzara said. “But of course, we will never get tired to solicit the support of thousands of volleyball fans. This event will not be successful without their presence and participation.”