John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

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Leila Barros 

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758971910984leila barros heart.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Former Brazilian women&#x27;s national volleyball team standout Leila Barros during her media meet and greet at the Mall of Asia Arena, September 27, 2025. PNVF</div>MANILA — Former Brazilian women&#x27;s national volleyball team standout Leila Barros on Saturday emphasized the need for an investment in a &quot;major&quot; and long-term grassroots project that would secure the future of Philippine volleyball.Barros underscored the need for a platform for young athletes, and the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and the government should lead the way in establishing such a program.&quot;The support of the country and the federation, that&#x27;s very important,&quot; said Barros during a media meet and greet at the sidelines of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.&quot;And what&#x27;s more important now is that Philippine volleyball makes an investment in a place for young athletes [grassroots],&quot; she added. &quot;There&#x27;s no shortcut for results. This is a major, long-term project.&quot;<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/27/filipino-fans-fulfill-dreams-of-meeting-volleyball-icon-leila-barros-1829">READ: Filipino fans fulfill dreams of meeting volleyball icon Leila Barros </a></div>Barros, who is in the country as a special guest of the 32-nation contest, is now a senator in her country and has been advocating for the growth of sports, women&#x27;s rights, and environmental protection.&quot;In seven years, I have worked for the environment, for women, and now as a senator for the federal government. And now I am the president of the commission of sports,&quot; Barros shared.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/27/nostalgia-hits-as-volleyball-icon-leila-barros-looks-back-at-memories-of-manila-1429">READ: Nostalgia hits as volleyball icon Leila Barros looks back at memories of Manila </a></div>&quot;As an athlete, I always used my image to defend women and the environment. And now, as a politician, I’m working in a broader way, with a more macro view for all of society, especially for the most vulnerable,&quot; she added.The Brazilian legend once captured the hearts of Filipinos in the 2000 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix—and she felt that this was the &quot;right time&quot; to return, at such a moment when Philippine volleyball is &quot;growing.&quot;Adding to that acceptance of the invitation was the &quot;longing&quot; for the Filipino love—and the crowd darling remained adored by her ever-loyal fans.&quot;In fact, for years, I’ve been receiving invitations to come to the Philippines. Then the longing really hit. I thought it was the right time to come to the Philippines, because I believe this is the moment when Filipino volleyball is growing,&quot; she said. &quot;Honestly, I am very happy just to be [here] with all of you.&quot;

"[W]hat's more important now is that Philippine volleyball makes an investment in a place for young athletes [grassroots]," says the volleyball legend. #MWCH2025

"[W]hat's more important now is that Philippine volleyball makes an investment in a place for young athletes [grassroots]," says the volleyball legend. #MWCH2025

Volleyball: Leila Barros underscores push for grassroots program in PH

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Volleyball: Leila Barros underscores push for grassroots program in PH

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 27, 2025 07:36 PM PHT

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Leila Barros

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2025 FIVB Volleyball World Championship

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