President Graça (centre), FIVB Executive Committee co-opted member Stav Jacobi (right) and Philippine Super Liga president Ramon Suzara (left)
Lausanne, Switzerland, May 25, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° said he expected the 2016 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship to be an important milestone for the competition when it takes place in Manila, Philippines for the first time from October 18-23.
Meeting with the Women's Club World Championship organisers in Tokyo last week, President Graça said: “Eventcourt proved at the last three editions in Zurich that they are a perfect organiser for tournaments of an international standing. I am convinced that Eventcourt together with the Philippine Super Liga will provide a FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship tournament of epic proportions.”
“I also aim to be at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship. I want to show the organisers with my presence that I acknowledge their important engagement not only for women’s volleyball, but for volleyball in general.”
Quick Link:FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World ChampionshipSpeaking about the importance of the competition, President Graça said: “Young girls need idols to look up to. We have seen over the last decades that female players have become these role models and inspire young girls to pursue their dreams.
“The seating capacity of over 15,000 will be the biggest-ever in the history of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship. This is without doubt another big step for women’s volleyball and will usher in a new era. I am confident that the Philippine volleyball fans are going to build up a breath-taking atmosphere.”
Turkey's Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul claimed the title in 2015
The Philippines follows Brazil (1991, 1994), Italy (1992), Qatar (2010, 2011, 2012) and Switzerland (2013, 2014, 2015) as host countries of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship. The Asian country will host a volleyball world championship for the first time, having previously been a host of the FIVB’s premier annual women’s volleyball competition - the World Grand Prix.
The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship 2016 will take place at the Mall of Asia Arena. Four participants are already known. They are South American champions Rexona Ades of Brazil, CEV Champions League winners Pomi Casalmaggiore of Italy, Asian champions Bangkok Glass of Thailand and an all-star team from the Philippine Super Liga.
Related information:Philippines to host its first-ever Women’s Club World Championship