SIBU: The Sarawak International Volleyball Invitation (SIVI) 2026 has offered visiting teams a taste of Malaysian hospitality and cuisine, with players and officials enjoying both the competition and cultural experience, including local food that has been described as “really nice” by some visitors.
Victory VC coach and Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) instructor Jason Mak Tsz Chun, who is based in Hong Kong and visiting Malaysia for the first time with his team, said the tournament has also provided a valuable introduction to the country’s volleyball culture.
“We are very glad to be here because this is the first time we have come to Malaysia for a tournament.
“This is a very important time for us to experience the volleyball culture in Malaysia,” he told Sarawak Tribune on Sunday (Jul 5) at the Sibu Volleyball Indoor Stadium.
Mak praised the match officials and organisers for their behind-the-scenes support, saying visiting teams were able to focus fully on competition.
“I really appreciate all the match officials and also the helpers, they help us a lot.
“We’re just very focused on the competition, and they take care of our living, dining and things like that,” he said.
Mak added that the overall organisation of the tournament met high standards, highlighting the opening ceremony, venue atmosphere and strong crowd support.
“For the competition arrangement, this is a very good arrangement. We can see a very grand opening that invites important guests, and we enjoy the atmosphere with music and fans,” he said.
He also noted that the setup was comparable to other international tournaments he has attended.
“The arrangement is quite similar; for example, the competition venue and setup is really similar to all those high-quality tournaments,” he said.
On the cultural side, Mak said the experience has been largely positive, particularly in terms of local hospitality and food.
“It’s really nice,” he said when asked about Malaysian food.
“We enjoy the food very much, but some players may need some time to adapt.”
The Sarawak International Volleyball Invitation continues to attract participating teams from abroad, strengthening its profile as a growing platform for regional volleyball competition and cultural exchange.
