Kalei Mau may now represent the Philippines in international volleyball competitions after getting the go-signal from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), according to an announcement by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Wednesday.
This, based on FIVB's letter to the PNVF, USA Volleyball, Asian Volleyball Confederation, and North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation allowing the 6-foot-2 spiker to finally don the tricolors.
Mau, a dual citizen who hails from Hawaii and whose mother is Filipina, was barred from participating in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) due to her affiliation with USA Volleyball. With FIVB's green light, however, she now has a clear path to representing the Philippines in the Hanoi SEA Games later in the year.
The University of Arizona alumna first saw action in the Philippine Superliga in 2018 with United Volleyball Club before transferring to F2 Logistics the following season. She is currently seeing action in Puerto Rico's Liga De Voleibol Superior Femenino as an import for Changas de Naranjito.
Per FIVB rules, a player is only permitted to change federation of origin once, meaning international tournaments would consider Mau as Filipino from now on.
In another much-welcome development for the nationals, newly appointed coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito of Brazil finally secured his Filipino visa after the Department of Foreign Affairs authorized the embassy in Brasilia to issue the travel document.
"These are a couple of good news for Philippine volleyball. 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," expressed PNVF President Ramon "Tats" Suzara.
Souza de Brito experienced longer visa application due to the Philippines' COVID-19 protocols for persons arriving from overseas. With the approval, though, he will now be able to begin working with women's head coach Odjie Mamon for two years, at the very least, upon his arrival.
Beloved Thai tactician Anusorn "Tai" Bundit was also able to secure an exemption from the temporary suspension of visa issuance, also allowing him to be part of the staff.
Most of the 16-woman national team have already arrived in Laoag, Ilocos Norte to train for the 21st Asian Seniors Women's Volleyball Championship in August as well as the Hanoi SEA Games.