POC starts solving PNVF leadership row

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has taken the first step in solving the volleyball leadership crisis following the resignation of all members of the board of the suspended Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).

“That’s the first step and they all agreed to resign,” (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said after the volleyball general assembly called by the POC on Monday morning at the Solaire Theater Board Room in Parañaque City.

The POC is the “caretaker” of all national volleyball federation activities after the International Volleyball Federation suspended the PNVF primarily on poor governance last May, which was preceded by a similar sanction by the Philippine Sports Commission and followed by the POC.

Also agreed upon was the creation of a new 13-member PNVF board that includes athletes’ representatives in beach volleyball for men and women, as well as for the major collegiate leagues like the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and National Collegiate Athletic Association to heed the call of the federation on the lending of their athletes to the national teams.

The position of chairman was also removed and that the POC will have a seat in the board and for the secretary general to be appointed by the president during the assembly attended by close to 40 former board members and stakeholders.

“This is to introduce inclusivity and, more importantly, that the stakeholders prioritize the call of the national team,” added Tolentino who presided over the assembly with POC secretary general Wharton Chan.

All amendments on the PNVF constitution, Tolentino added, have been approved and that the POC will call for another assembly on 10 August to tackle the next steps toward fresh elections of the federation.