Asian Volleyball headquarters opened in Bangkok

AVC and PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara (center) and PSC chairman Patrick “Patò” Gregorio (second from left) lead the toast with (from left) Thailand Volleyball Association president Somporn Chaibangyang and National Olympic Committee of Thailand secretary-general Thana Chaiprasit and FIVB president Fabio Azevedo. Photo shared from the PNVF.

With the eyes of the world of volleyball gazed towards Southeast Asia, the Asian Volleyball Confederation inaugurated its new headquarters in Bangkok on Friday.

In presenting its new home, called the Asian Volleyball (AVC) House, AVC president Ramon Suzara says, "This is the home of Asia volleyball now and it easy for us to work around here with the success of volleyball in Southeast Asia."

He adds, "All volleyball stakeholders are welcome especially in Asia, volleyball fans ,too, universities and club teams, and of course we are open to many sports stakeholders."

The facility is a two-storey mansion within a 2,800-square meter lot in the Khet Saphan Sung district of the Thai capital. 

With the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship entering its final couple of days, many of the who's who in the sport were present for the special occasion, led by the last two presidents of the FIVB, incumbent Fabio Azevedo, and predecessor Ary Graça. Suzara's predecessor at the AVC, Rita Subowo, was also there. Joining them in leading the toast are top Thai officials in Thailand Volleyball Association president Somporn Chaibangyang, as well as Thailand NOC secretary-general Thana Chaiprasit.

Azevedo shares, "I’m extremely happy and proud of our volleyball leadership in Asia led by president Ramon Suzara, the volleyball Asia house is magnificent and amazing... What a great place to be the hub of volleyball in Asia and we are moving ‘together as one’ as what’ president Suzara said."

Aside from Suzara, leading the Filipino delegation at the event are PNVF secretary-general Donaldo Caringal, with Candon City mayor Eric Singson and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio gracing the proceedings also. The Ilocos Sur city has launched a bid for the AVC Women's Cup, which takes place next year.

The Women's Championship is already in their semifinal phase, with Turkiye, Italy, Japan, and Brazil tangling on Saturday afternoon, with the medal matches coming the next day.

As for the Men's Championship, it is set to commence next week, September 12, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, featuring hosts Philippines and Tunisia as the opening matchup. Tickets for the tournament are still available at https://www.philippineswch2025.com.