Lhuillier seeking Philta presidency

MANILA, Philippines – Long-time sports patron Jean Henri Lhuillier has offered his services to lead the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) ahead of the association’s scheduled elections on Feb. 8.

“Having supported Philippine tennis for more than two decades in my private capacity, I have a strong desire now to lead it to even greater heights,” Lhuillier said in a statement yesterday.

“If given the chance to lead the association, I will continue to implement the good programs of past administrations and at the same introduce new programs that will make tennis in the Philippines more inclusive and getting all stakeholders more involved. My vision is to increase the number of members of Philta just like how it’s being done in the US and in European countries where memberships reach hundreds of thousands,” he added.

Philta secretary general Romy Magat has notified the association’s stakeholders and the Philippine Olympic Committee about the election. He, however, clarified that voting will be for the positions of vice president and treasurer and as for the presidency, Magat said it will be up to incumbent Buddy Andrada.

Andrada was elected president for a three-year term during a special voting last July 2016.

“He (Andrada) may decide to exercise his previous election that gave him a three-year term or he may decide to resign and call for an election for president,” Magat said.

Lhuillier, a member of the Philta board of trustees and team manager and sponsor of the Phl Davis Cup team, said he’s willing to work hand in hand with all stakeholders.

He cited as example Bobby Castro, president of Palawan Pawnshop which like Lhuillier’s own Cebuana Lhuillier, has been sponsoring and organizing age-group tournaments.