By WAYLON GALVEZ
The Philippine men's volleyball team settles for the silver medal after yielding to Indonesia in the volleyball competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, Dec. 10, 2019. (MB Photo / Alvin Kasiban, File)
The Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas (LVPI) remains the recognized national federation of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
In a letter, a copy of which was furnished the local federation, FIVB general director Fabio Azevedo of Argentina said LVPI – headed by its president Joey Romasanta – stays as the “provisionally affiliated” member of the FIVB.
Under the world volleyball body’s regulation, the LVPI has the “rights granted to provisional members” which include organizing local and international tournaments, as well as forming the national teams.
The FIVB has twice tackled the issue of Philippine volleyball but has deferred making a decision until now. For the LVPI to get full membership, it should acquire a 2/3 vote of the FIVB general assembly.
The international federation is set to have its GA next month.
Prior to the GA, the FIVB will send to the country a delegation made up of Jizhong Wei, Chistobal Marte Hoffiz, Stephen Bock, Jaime Lamboy and Azevedo to resolve ongoing issues within the local volleyball federation and its relationship with the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission.
LVPI president Joey Romasanta, vice president Peter Cayco and secretary-general Ariel Paredes welcomed the development.
“They have all the documents they needed, and we have complied with all the conditions they set for us back in 2015,” said Romasanta.