Paranaque mayor Edwin Olivarez is returning to the fold of the Philippine Tennis Association to help institute much-needed reforms that will involve more stakeholders in the sport.
The presence of Olivarez, the former Philta president, in the board of trustees was called for following a special board meeting of the Philta with International Tennis Federation Vice President Anil Khanna and officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Olivarez will sit as the chairman of the committee that will draft amendments, discuss reforms and help initiate the reform process that the Philippine tennis body will undertake within the next two years.
The mayor was present to hear the suggestions forwarded to Khanna, who attended with POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. and secretary general Steve Hontiveros.
Cojuangco and Hontiveros came to the meeting, not in recognition of the new leadership of the Philta, but to witness the reforms and talks that are being undertaken within the organization.
“There is unanimity in the decision. The POC president has suggested and requested that that Mayor Olivarez and the new president of Philta that they make amendments to the constitution and bylaws of the Philta immediately,” said Khanna.
Cablitas was at the meeting that was also attended at the Sheraton Hotel, by Philta officials Salvador Andrada, Manuel and Martin Misa, and Julito Villanueva.
Businessman-sportsman Jean Henri Lhuillier, who has been involved in a bitter dispute for the leadership of the organization, and another Philta official Randy Villanueva were absent from the meeting.
Cablitas and Olivarez have been put to task to bring all stakeholders, and discuss the reforms, and continue activities like the holding of tournaments, and the formation of the national teams in the junior division, the women’s and the men’s team for the Davis Cup.
“Whatever we do will not harm the players,” added Khanna.
The 68-year old Cablitas, who is President Rodrigo Duterte’s adviser on investments, said the reform process will take less than two years.
“We have agreed to introduce reforms. Everybody is clamoring for that,” remarked Cablitas.
The ITF has told the Philta there will no more elections until the constitution and bylaws of the association have been amended.
Khanna said he will report back to ITF president David Haggerty on the progress of the meeting.
Officials of the POC have yet to officially recognize the new leadership of the Philta.
Hontiveros said they have guidelines to follow, and the recognition of Cablitas is the Philta president needs the approval of the General Assembly.
“The guidelines for recognition as NSAs were not followed. We can’t recognize the new president. But we want to observe this meeting that is about reunification,” added Hontiveros.
