The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) received a letter from the International Volleyball Federation, allowing Kalei Mau to play for the Philippines in international events.
THE Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has announced Kalei Mau’s eligibility to play for the Philippine team in international events after getting the green light from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
On Tuesday (July 6), the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) received a letter from FIVB of their decision to let Mau play for the Philippines which they also forwarded to USA Volleyball, whom Mau had former affiliations with, as well as the Asian Volleyball Confederation and the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation.
The 6-foot-2 spiker was supposed to play at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Clark City but was disapproved due to her affiliation with USA Volleyball and her having dual Philippine and U.S citizenship.
After receiving the letter from FIVB, Brazilian Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, the assigned national team coach, was reported to have secured a visa after much delay together with his assistant, Thai Tai Bundit, being exempted from the temporary suspension of visa issuance.
Resolving their own visa issues means that Mau, Souza de Brito and Bundit will be available to join the Nationals’ bubble training in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
“These are good news for Philippine volleyball,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation President (PNVF) Ramon Suzara. “With Coach Jorge flying in soon and Mau already available to play for the country, we can now go on full throttle for the women’s national team training.”
National team assistant Odjie Mamon meanwhile will spearhead the bubble training in Laoag of the 16-member squad while Souza de Brito is in transit.
The team is preparing for the country's hosting of the 21st Asian Seniors Women’s Volleyball Championship in August, as well as the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, if it pushes through.
Souza de Brito is also expected to name the final four members of the team to complete the roster with Mau, along with Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado, among the names being thrown to be a shoo-in for the final spots. (NP)
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