Stakeholders welcome ITF Philta intervention
The directive of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) to immediately shape up has been received warmly by stakeholders in the sport fighting for change.
“We have been demanding for Philta officials to make improvements in running the association because it has already derailed the development of tennis in the country for so long,” said tennis patron and Philta board member Jean Henri Lhuillier.
ITF president David Haggerty expressed disappointment over the long-running leadership crisis after Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez resigned as Philta president in July last year.
The Philta held an election of new officers twice but both failed to gain the support of the ITF and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
“We are happy that the ITF has finally stepped in on this matter that has divided not only the leadership of the tennis association but also the hopes and dreams of our future tennis stars,” said board member Randy Villanueva.
The group of Lhuillier and Villanueva questioned the legitimacy of the June 2017 election of Antonio Cablitas as Philta president.
Haggerty mentioned in his letter that the ITF continues to recognize Olivarez as Philta president and ordered the Philta to amend its charter and expand the coverage of the association’s membership before holding an election.
Nov. 15 deadline
The world governing body in the sport also set a Nov. 15 deadline for the Philta to present a list of current membership, qualifications and criteria for membership and a clear plan of action on how Philta intends to make changes in increasing its membership.
Haggerty also told Philta to file reports of its accomplishments since 2015, including number of tournaments organized, number of coaching training sessions, number of training camps and list of international exposures for the national team.
The stakeholders contended that almost all tennis activities in the country for the last few years have been organized by private sponsors.
