THE International Tennis Federation (ITF) has lifted the suspension of the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta), finally opening the door for the country's total return to active international competition and allowing the association to restart its development program.
Philta was suspended in 2020 following a power struggle for leadership that was brought to the attention of the ITF. The international federation, after hearing both sides of the issue, suspended Philta and directed its officers to revamp its by-laws so it would allow the participation of all stakeholders in a fair and transparent election.
Davis Cup ban
During the suspension, Filipino tennis players were still allowed to compete as individuals and were also qualified to play in the Southeast Asia Games and Asian Games. But they could not compete in ITF-sanctioned tournaments such as the Olympics, Billie Jean Cup, Davis Junior Davis Cup and other tournaments under the ITF umbrella. Some ITF junior events scheduled in the Philippines were also subsequently scrapped.
The lifting of the suspension was relayed by the ITF to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) via email last Jan. 21. It also asked the Philta to pay past subscription fees before the suspension is totally lifted.
“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,” ITF president David Haggerty said in a letter dated January 21 to POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
“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,” he added.
Ad hoc administrators
The POC became an ad hoc administrator for tennis with Tats Suzara heading a task force with Robert Joseph Moran (soft tennis) and Ting Ledesma (table tennis) as members until the association constitution was revised in consonance with ITF regulations and approved by the world governing body.
The ITF-ordered and POC-supervised elections of the members of the Philta board of trustees were held last December 11 at the Century Park Hotel in Manila with Paranaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez being named president.
Also elected were Olongapo City mayor Rolen Paulino as vice president, Calabarzon’s Gerardo Alcala as treasurer and Mimaropa’s Theodore Jose Matta as internal auditor.
The other members of the board voted independently by their respective regions were 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’ Joile Mondragon, Central Visayas’ Jean Henri Lhuiller, Caraga’s Dyan Castillejo and April Toledo for Gender Equity.
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