Gov’t tosses support to GP

A stellar and distinguished cast of personalities from the government have been tapped to ensure the success of the Manila leg of this year’s 10th World Grand Prix Women’s Volleyball Championship to be held at the Araneta Coliseum from July 19-21.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon are the co-chairmen while Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain are the co-vice-chairmen of the organizing committee of the event which will be participated in by Sydney 2000 Olympics silver medalist Russia and bronze medalist Brazil, European champion Germany and Asian powerhouse Japan.

The other members of the organizing committee are Pagcor chairman Efraim Genuino, PCSO chairperson Olivia de Leon, Philippine Amateur Volleyball Association (PAVA) chairman Bro. Rolando Dizon, PAVA president Luis Gepuela, Photokina Marketing Corporation executive vice president George Chua, San Miguel Corporation director for corporate affairs Ira Maniquis, ArianWorks Management Corporation president Atty. Noli Eala and directors Conrad Banal and Ben Evardone.

The World Grand Prix Women’s Volleyball Championship, which is returning to the Philippines after a two-years absence, is part of the four world-rated women’s volleyball teams’ preparations for the Women’s World Championships this coming August.

The start of the preliminary rounds, to be hosted simultaneously by Tokyo, Japan and Chengdu, China, will be on July 12 to 14. The finals, to be participated in by seeded team China plus the three teams with the most Grand Prix points after the preliminary rounds, will be held from Aug. 1-4 in Hong Kong.

Teams earn two Grand Prix points for a win and one point for a loss in the event which has the new Pagcor as presentor; San Mig Light, AGFA, the official film, Red Bull Energy Drink, the official energy drink, PCSO, Philippine Sports Commission and Adidas as major sponsors; and the Philippine Tourism Authority, St. Monique Valais, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, Dari Créme Light, Nextel Communications, Viva Mineral Water, Citibank, Kleenex Facial Tissues and Kotex as minor sponsors.

Also supporting the event as donors are Philamlife, Godiva, Linkman and Alaska Milk while The Philippine STAR, 92.3 Joey’s Rhythm, DZAR Angel Radyo 1026 and Viva TV are the tri-media partners.