Bangkok, Thailand, March 11, 2025 – The AVC Sports Events Council met on Tuesday to discuss a landmark year of the sport in Asia, highlighted by the inaugural AVC Men’s and Women’s Champions Leagues, which are set to be held in Japan and the Philippines respectively. The meeting also emphasized the importance of participation and collaboration to enhance the strategic growth and success of AVC events.
The Council convened in a hybrid format, with Chairman Mr Kylychbek Sarbaghyshev from Kyrgyzstan, Secretary Ms Liu Yi from China, Mr Kriyot Sudsaard from Thailand and Ms Patana Kittichaisombat from AVC Volleyball Events Department attending onsite at the AVC Headquarters in Bangkok.
AVC President Mr Ramon Suzara, right, and AVC Secretary General Mr Hugh Graham
The Council was also honored with the presence of AVC President Mr Ramon Suzara and AVC Secretary General Mr Hugh Graham in the meeting, with AVC Executive Vice President Mr Mohamed Latheef, himself President of the Central Asian Volleyball Association and the Volleyball Association of Maldives, in attendance as observer.
Council Chairman Mr Kylychbek Sarbaghyshev
Joining the meeting online comprised Ms Anelya Nurmagambetova from Kazakhstan, Mrs Maryam Hessaby Dehbaneh from Iran, Mr Raditia Rahmat Darwis from Indonesia, Mr Feras Jawad Alhalwachi from Bahrain, Mr Khalid Mohd Al-Kaabi from Qatar, Mr Malcom Henri Borgeaud from Australia, Mr Wong Chi Chor, Seamus from Hong Kong, China, Mr Toshiro Endo from Japan, Mr Huang Kuo-Kuang from Chinese Taipei and Mr Herman Ada from Guam.
Representatives from Volleyball World, Chief Business Officer Mr Guido Betti and Lorenzo Cavallari, also attended in the middle of the meeting to present an overview of progressive report on the forthcoming AVC Champions League as well as AVC’s other major competitions including the AVC Challenge Cup.
AVC President Mr Ramon Suzara
In his welcome address, AVC President Mr Ramon Suzara encouraged the Council Members to actively participate, share their ideas and exchange experience which play an important role in sustainability and the continued growth of volleyball in Asia.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this important AVC Sports Events Council Meeting. This is the first meeting following the recent Election last year. I would like to extend a warm welcome to both our new and returning members. Your dedication and commitment to the volleyball development in Asia are truly valued. I’m very confident that together, we can continue to elevate our sport to new heights. As for the AVC Sports Events Council, I would like to announce that we will propose to the Board to change the name of the Sports Events Council to Volleyball Council following the structure of the FIVB just like the Development and all the other committees. This plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of volleyball and beach volleyball across our continent,” Mr Suzara was quoted as saying in his speech.
“To this meeting, we have a unique opportunity to plan, discuss and coordinate our competition calendar and operational strategy to ensure the continued growth and success of AVC events. With many of you being in the Council, I urged you to open discussion, flash perspectives and collaborative efforts to strengthen our events and impact. In recent years, we’ve just made significant strides in enhancing our competitions and without ongoing partnership with Volleyball World, we now have even greater opportunity to expand our reach and improve the quality of our events.
AVC President Mr Suzara
“Your insights and contribution will be in volleyball ensuring that our competitions not only meet global standards, FIVB standards, but also provide the best possible platform for our athletes to showcase talents and passion for the game. I encourage each of you to actively participate, sharing ideas and work collectively toward the common visions. Your contribution will play a key role in shaping the past forward for volleyball and beach volleyball in Asia,” added the AVC President.
He also informed the meeting that on Wednesday, March 12, the Press Conference and the Drawing of Lots for the first-ever AVC Champions League for Men and Women will be held. The Asian Club Championship has been renamed to the AVC Champions League with the release of the new Logo with Volleyball World. It will be highest level of competition for AVC to open this year’s competitions. Representatives from Japan, SV.League and JVA as well as those from the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and PVL, the Professional League, will also attend the Press Conference. On this auspicious occasion, AVC will announce the partnership of AVC and Volley Station. Volley Station is the official competition data technology of FIVB and after this, top competitions of AVC will be professionalized on higher level.
After that, the meeting started with approval of the Agenda, acknowledgement of the 2024 Minutes of AVC SEC Meeting in Bangkok and reports on last year’s AVC competitions in summary. Members were open to discuss and comment on the staging of those AVC competitions.
AVC President Mr Suzara also informed the meeting of the report on FIVB Volleyball Council Meeting which covered many key items including Volleyball Calendar from 2025 to 2029, Continental Championships 2026, world ranking proposals 2025-2028 and qualification pathway for LA2028.
Mr Raditia Rahmat Darwis
Members then heard the progressive reports on the AVC events to be held later this year, while other interesting topics were also raised for consideration and further discussion .
Ms Anelya Nurmagambetova
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