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The Philippine Volleyball League opening day in Austria (PhiVA) was conducted on September 16, 2023, at the Rundhalle, Steigenteschgasse, 1220 Vienna. Four youth teams—Pinoyrelax Acers, Hotshots, Igorot Warriors, and Lotus Impact—and four adult teams—NBS, Volleybee, Beng Bros, and Vienna Dream Team—participated. After singing the Philippine National Anthem, an introductory prayer was given for God’s Supreme guidance to all teams, parents, and everyone supporting the club and the league. Four volleyball players still playing with Shamama Sports and Kultur Verein served as match officials. A motivational speech from Johann Fabits, a young Austrian businessman with Filipino ancestry, capped up the inauguration ceremony.
All teams and the enthusiastic spectators had an exhausting but exciting day, and they all returned home with smiles that symbolized their intense passion for volleyball as a sport. Many rookie teams and players, a small number of sophomores, and enthusiastic veteran players traded digs, sets, and attacks with one another while also exhibiting excellent camaraderie and sportsmanship.
During the finals of the Basketball and Volleyball League in June 2023, Reden Atienza, one of the founders of Philippine Volleyball in Austria (and Philippine Basketball in Austria, too), said that such leagues are being conducted to promote sports, camaraderie, and fun for Filipino families in Austria, especially for the youth.
“We expect more games and leagues in the coming months and years to pursue our objectives in collaboration with other Filipino sports clubs and Filipino Associations in Austria, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Austria,“ Reden Atienza, said.
His co-founder, Francis Semany, likewise affirmed that the Volleyball and Basketball tournaments among Filipinos, especially the young ones, hold profound importance for the Filipino community by fostering unity, camaraderie, and fair play.
“We want to provide opportunities for the youth to form lasting friendships, display good sportsmanship, and showcase their talents,“ Francis Semana said.
On October 7, 2023, the league resumes at Rundhalle Alt Erlaa.
Hector Pascua, pictures: (2) Facebook, Reden Atienza
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