ITF INALIS NA ANG PHILTA SUSPENSION

BALIK na ang bansa sa global tennis community makaraang alisin ng International Tennis Federation (ITF) ang suspensiyon sa Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) noong Linggo.

“I am pleased to confirm that the ITF Board of Directors has decided to lift the suspension of the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) … in accordance with Article 5 of the ITF Constitution,” wika ni ITF president David Haggerty sa isang liham na may petsang January 21 kay Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

“I would like to thank you and your team, particularly Mr. Ramon Suzara, for your proactive approach to resolving Philta’s governance issues in accordance with our shared values of good governance, transparency, and accountability,” sabi ni Haggery.

“Philta’s return to active ITF membership is a significant moment for tennis in the Philippines and the Asian region, and the ITF is highly motivated to support Philta in its efforts to develop, grow and promote the sport in the coming years,” dagdag pa niya.

Pinasalamatan ni Tolentino si Haggerty at ang ITF sa mabilis nilang pagbalik sa Philta, na sinuspinde ng tatlong taon sa governance issues.

“The POC would like to thank Mr. Haggerty and the ITF for lifting the suspension that would allow Philippine tennis to get back on track,” sabi ni Tolentino.

Ang POC ay naging ad hoc administrator para sa tennis kung saan pinamunuan ni Suzara ang isang task force kasama sina Robert Joseph Moran (soft tennis) at Ting Ledesma (table tennis) bilang mga miyembro hanggang baguhin ang constitution ng asosasyon alinsunod sa ITF regulations at inaprubahan ng world governing body.

Ang ITF-ordered at POC-supervised elections ng mga miyembro ng Philta board trustees ay idinaos noong nakaraang December 11 sa Century Park Hotel sa Manila kung saan nahalal si Paranaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez bilang presidente.

Nahalal din sina Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino bilang vice president, Calabarzon’s Gerardo Alcala bilang treasurer at Mimaropa’s Theodore Jose Matta bilang internal auditor.

Ang iba pang mga miyembro ng board na ibinoto independently ng kani-kanilang rehiyon ay sina Bicol’s Franzes Khu Camacho,Western Visayas’s Theodore Dy, Ilocos Region’s Elmaerwin Sibucao, Mindanao’s Gilbert Paylado, Cordillera Autonomous Region’s Dickerson Laruan, Cagayan Valley’s Fernando Silapan, Eastern Visayas’s Joile Mondragon, Central Visayas’s Jean Henri Lhuiller, Caraga’s Dyan Castillejo at April Toledo para sa Gender Equity.

CLYDE MARIANO