Candon rises as international volleyball hotbed

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — Candon City, which is successfully hosting the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup, could be a potential host of bigger international events, including the Volleyball Nations League.

“I invited (Candon) Mayor Eric Singson to watch the VNL at the PhilSports Arena this coming week,” said AVC president Ramon Suzara during yesterday’s pre-semifinal media briefing at Hotel Van Gogh here in the city up North.

“Because I can see Candon City as a potential future host for such big events like the VNL because of its past international hosting like this AVC competition,” he added.

The VNL women’s tilt is unfurling Tuesday and ending Saturday at the Pasig venue that will be participated in by defending champion United States, Japan, Czechia, Dominican Republic and Serbia.

Singson said they’re open to that possibility, especially if their planned airport is completed.

“We’re working to complete our airport so that we’ll have more bigger events,” he said.

Apart from its world-class 8,000-seater venue, the city has Hotel Van Gogh, a hotel adjustment to it that accommodated 12 countries that saw action in the AVC and a strong local support team

“We now have practice facilities and we’re happy we provided it for this event,” said Singson.