NAKAHANDA ang Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) na magpadala ng mga koponan sa darating na Davis Cup at Billie Jean King Cup.
Kasunod ito ng pag-alis ng ITF Board of Directors sa three-year suspension ng PHILTA dahil sa governance issues.
Ang desisyon ay kinumpirma ni ITF president David Haggerty sa isang liham na may petsang Jan. 21, 2024 at ipinadala sa pamamagitan ng email kay Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino.
Natutuwa si Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez, nahalal na PHILTA president sa POC-supervised election noong nakaraang Disyembre, na marinig ang balita hinggil sa official lifting ng suspensiyon mula sa POC chief.
“On behalf of the whole Philippine tennis community, we wish to thank the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Board of Directors and the POC for the support, trust and confidence bestowed upon PHILTA,” pahayag ni Olivarez sa isang press statement.
Sinabi ni PHILTA secretary general, Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, na sabik na ang Pilipinas na makabalik sa team competitions.
“In light of the opportunity to enter teams in the 2024 Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup competitions, we are enthusiastic about the prospect and are keen to participate despite the time constraints,” dagdag pa niya.
Ang Philippine men’s team ay kailangang sumabak sa Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 5, habang ang women’s squad ay sa Group 3, batay sa ITF regulations.
Inilarawan ni Haggerty ang pagbabalik ng PHILTA’ sa active membership bilang “isang mahalagang pangyayari para sa tennis sa Philippines and the Asian region”.
“The ITF is highly motivated to support PHILTA in its efforts to develop, grow and promote the sport in the coming years,” ani Haggerty.
Ang iba pang mga opisyal ng PHILTA ay sina Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino (vice president), Calabarzon’s Gerardo Alcala (treasurer) at Mimaropa’s Theodore Jose Matta (internal auditor).
Ang mga miyembro ng board ay sina Franzes Khu Camacho (Bicol), Theodore Dy (Western Visayas), Elmaerwin Sibucao (Ilocos), Gilbert Paylado (Mindanao), Dickerson Laruan (Cordillera Administrative Region), Fernando Silapan (Cagayan Valley), Joile Mondragon (Eastern Visayas), Jean Henri Lhuiller (Central Visayas), at Dyan Castillejo at April Toledo para sa Gender Equity.
CLYDE MARIANO
