BOXING icon and former senator Manny Pacquiao has expressed his support for new Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Frank Lao as the federation begins efforts to strengthen and modernize the country’s volleyball program.
Pacquiao and Lao recently met to discuss their shared support for the continued development of Philippine volleyball, according to posts accompanying a photo of the two.
The meeting comes as Lao begins his tenure with plans to establish a more sustainable system for the sport, with particular focus on the national teams, grassroots development and the professional management of the PNVF.
Lao has said in an earlier interview that he wants to build a deeper and more consistent pool of national team players by allowing promising athletes from the collegiate ranks to train regularly with the national program instead of immediately moving into professional competition.
He also intends to strengthen talent identification at the grassroots level and give athletes a greater voice within the federation through the planned creation of an Athlete’s Commission.
At the professional level, Lao has maintained that cooperation with the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) will be important in making national team players available during international competitions.
The PNVF chief is likewise looking to establish a more professional administrative structure for the federation, including eventually having a chief executive officer to oversee its day-to-day operations.
Lao assumed the PNVF presidency amid efforts to address the federation’s issues with the international governing body and has made restoring its standing with the FIVB one of his immediate priorities.
Pacquiao’s meeting with Lao adds another prominent supporter to the federation’s efforts to build a stronger volleyball program, with both figures emphasizing the need for continued investment and development of Filipino athletes. (Adrian Co)
