BANGKOK— Nangako si Ramon “Tats” Suzara na sasamantalahin ang pagkakataon at momentum upang iangat ang Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) sa bagong era kasunod ng kanyang pagkakahalal bilang presidente ng continental governing body para sa volleyball dito Biyernes ng umaga.
Si Suzara ay magsisilbi ng apat na taon bilang ika-9 na presidente at ikalawang Pilipino pa lamang — matapos ni Nemesio Yabut na naging presidente mula 1976 hanggang 1979— ng AVC.
“The greatest boost shall be derived from the region’s grand tradition and rich history in volleyball,” sabi ni Suzara.
“The legacy of inspiring wisdom and nurturing leadership of previous administrations will be carried on, even as the AVC story continues to unfold.”
Si Suzara ay nakakuha ng 48 boto upang manalo ng landslide laban sa kanyang nag-iisang katunggali na si Ali Ghanem Al-Kuwari ng Qatar, na may 15 mula 63 total votes—20 ay sa pamamagitan ng proxy at ang Brunei at Mongolia ay no-show sa 25th AVC General Assembly, Congress and Election sa Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel sa Thai capital.
Pinalitan ni Suzara si succeeded Indonesia’s Rita Sibowo, na pinamunuan ang organisasyon sa nakalipas na Olympic cycle mula 2020 hanggang 2024.
“I thanked everyone who have trusted me and as president, my work has just begun,” aniya.
Si Suzara ay sinamahan sa Congress ng kanyang Philippine National Volleyball Federation chairman Dr. Arnel Hajan, at nina vice president Ricky Palou at secretary-general Donaldo Caringal.
“Thank you very much my AVC family, to Mr. Ali [Ghanem Al-Kuwari] we will always be family,” dagdag pa niya.
Sinaksihan nina FIVB President Ary Graça at director general Fabio Azevedo ang exercise at pagkatapos ay mainit na binati si Suzara kasama si Sibowo.
Ang paghalal kay Suzara ay nangyari halos isang taon bago ang milestone solo hosting ng Pilipinas sa FIVB Volleyball Men World Championships sa September 2025.
“He is going to be a good president because Mr. Suzara is very professional for our sport,” sabi ni Graça.
Nahalal din sa AVC sina first senior executive vice president Craig Carracher ng Australia, executive vice president Mohamed Latheef ng Maldives, secretary-general Hugh Graham ng Cook Islands, treasurer Marina Tsui ng Hong Kong at internal auditor Hasan Alfransiny ng Bahrain.