Tennis’ constitution, bylaws to be amended
Philippine tennis took a big step towards its unification and finally its long-awaited recognition when its major stakeholders agreed to amend the sport’s constitution and bylaws to end the leadership row that considerably slowed down the growth of the sport.
Asian Tennis Federation President Anil Khanna of India presided the meeting among Philippine Tennis Association’s Board of Trustees at the Century Park Hotel last Saturday where he urged the officials to start the reform process.
It was agreed during the meeting that Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez will serve as chairman of the committee that will draft Philta’s constitution and by-laws along with elected Philta President Antonio Cablitas.
“We request that the constitution be amended immediately with Olivarez and Cablitas leading the process, where they must engage the stakeholders and talk to everyone to consider the reforms,” said Khanna, also the International Tennis Federation Vice President.
“We are happy that Philta realizes the need to change and have more reforms, and also to have a large involvement from major stakeholders because it is the only way that tennis can grow in every country even if we have difficulties with our resources,” Khanna added.
According to Khanna, normal activities of Philta will continue “so that tennis should not suffer, which is the primary thing,” and that a healthy process will follow after this meeting.
Cablitas, who was elected last June but is still not recognized by either the POC or the ITF, was also asked by Khanna that communication will be stronger among members of the stakeholders and the Board of Trustees to achieve a unified goal that they have been looking for.
Among those present in the meeting were Philippine Olympic Committee President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and Secretary General Steve Hontiveros, and Philta Board Members Manuel Misa, Romeo Magat, Lito Villanueva and Buddy Andrada, to name a few.