HABANG naghahanda ang Pilipinas para sa solo hosting ng FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025, binigyang diin ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano ang kahalagahan ng pagtatayo ng matibay na pundasyon – hindi lamang para sa sports hosting kundi para rin sa pagbuo ng mga komunidad at pagbabago ng bansa.
“We all know that to do all of those you need a good seed, a good soil, and a right environment,” wika ni Cayetano, chairman emeritus ng Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), sa kanyang mensahe nitong September 14, 2024 para sa Drawing of Lots (DOL) ng championship na ginanap sa Solaire Resort.
“We know that volleyball is a good seed. It’s an instrument to change the world, the individual, team, school, and the community,” dagdag niya.
Pinuri ng senador ang kakayahan ng bansa sa pagho-host ng mga international sporting events tulad ng 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, at AVC Women’s Challenge Cup nitong Mayo kung saan nanalo ng bronze medal ang Women’s National Volleyball Team, Alas Pilipinas.
“You’ve seen the seed of women’s volleyball in the country and how it’s grown, you’ve seen the seed in the Philippines, you’ve seen the good soil,” sabi niya.
Ibinida rin ni Cayetano ang lumalaking fanbase ng bansa para sa sports. Ayon sa senador, hindi lamang ang national team ang sinusuportahan ng mga Pilipino kundi pati na rin ang mga katunggali nito mula sa ibang bansa.
“You want to know our secret? The legendary hospitality of the Philippines. One of the few countries where everyone cheers not only for their country,” wika niya.
Kasama ang kanyang mga kapwa Local Organizing Committee (LOC) co-chairs na sina William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Senador Pia Cayetano, at Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, inilunsad ni Cayetano ang one-year countdown patungo sa championship.
Nagbigay ng katiyakan si Cayetano na ang FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025, na nagsimula nitong Setyembre 12 hanggang 28, ay naging unique at memorable.
“Allow us through actions to show you our gratitude. Please wait and see what we can do with the good soil and seed of the Men’s World (Volleyball) Championship 2025,” sabi ng senador.
Sa isang panayam pagkatapos ng event, ibinahagi ng senador kung ano ang mga magagandang maidudulot ng pagho-host ng championship hindi lamang sa bansa kundi sa mga atleta at sports community.
“We’re hoping that this will give so much opportunities for the country. And y’ung hosting, grabe ‘yan. Eight hundred million fans worldwide – kahit saan mo tingnan (it’s a) win-win for us,” sabi niya.
“We need things like this. Sports is something we can really use for transformation,” dagdag niya.
