RAMON “TATS” SUZARA is looking far into the future two weeks after getting elected president of the Philippine Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. (PNVFI) and only two days after the new volleyball association was officially recognized by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
Suzara presented a 10-point plan of action during Tuesday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum but outstanding among them was his intention to revive the junior program.
“There is a need for the junior national team because in the FIVB and Asian Volleyball Confederation, there are under-18 and -under 23 tournaments,” he said. “We cannot focus only on the seniors because we need young players who could replace them in time.”
Suzara also stressed that formation of the national teams for future international competitions will no longer be in the hands of the coaching staff alone, but under a national team committee under the PNVFI.
“This department will be in charge of this. The coach will no longer be the only one to choose the players,” Suzara told the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Suzara said the committee with its own chairman, secretary and five members will handle everything that concerns events like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and other FIVB events.
In the past, the federation names a head coach, who is then given the free hand to call for tryouts and name the members of the men’s and women’s teams. Suzara will sit as co-chairman of the committee.
Suzara also emphasized the need to hire foreign coaches, primarily Brazilians, to handle the national teams and transfer technology to local coaches.
“I believe in the skills of the Brazilians, although I am also looking at coaches from Italy, Europe and North and South America,” he said.
Joining Suzara, a member of the FIVB marketing committee and head of the AVC marketing and development committee, in the weekly session were PNVFI vice president Arnel Hajan, board member Charo Soriano and national team mainstays Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago and Abigail Maraño.
“We’re happy that there are plans to help the growth of Philippine volleyball. This is just the beginning,” said Valdez, still considered as the face of volleyball in the country.
“We see a bright future. When we become inclusive it’s easier to grow. We will reach out to far-flung areas and extend the beauty of volleyball,” said Soriano, co-founder of the Beach Volleyball Republic.
Hajan, a former top official of the Philippine Volleyball Federation, said the new federation gives Philippine volleyball a bright future. “There is no substitute to unity and genuine change,” Hajan said.