PVF AND ITS CHANCES IN FIVB CONGRESS IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

While it is true that the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) board assured Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) President Joey Romasanta that PVF will be expelled at the next FIVB Congress in Dominican Republic, the current status of Romasanta and POC President Peping Cojuangco as top sports leader in the country stand on shaky ground that the chances of Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) regaining its FIVB membership has increased tremendously.

The affidavits of the six karate jins are compelling enough to question the kind of leadership that Romasanta offers. While he can claim that he is not directly involved in the anomalies exposed by the athletes, command responsibility dictates that he must be held accountable. After all, he is the president of Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF). It is not far-fetched that people will conclude that Romasanta practices the same inept and corrupt leadership in LVPI as he too is the president of the volleyball federation recognized by POC. FIVB national federation presidents will most likely conclude that what is happening in PKF happens in LVPI as well. Thus, votes for LVPI acceptance as a full member of FIVB will likely be affected come FIVB Congress.

POC President Peping Cojuangco, on the other hand, has to contend with a court decision that effectively declares his last victory at the last POC election as null and void. What will make LVPI's problem worse is when Peping actively calls for IOC suspension because of government intervention should the court force POC to hold elections. LVPI's main argument for FIVB membership hangs on its POC recognition, nothing more, nothing less. Should POC be suspended, LVPI's main argument for inclusion to FIVB is effectively destroyed.

So whether the merger between PVF, PSL and PVF materializes or not, PVF still stands to win its campaign in FIVB. Its chances to regain its FIVB recognition certainly increases significantly because of what is happening to Peping and Romasanta. PVF must now exploit current events to show FIVB and the world that it is right in fighting for its dear life and the sport that it loves.