Ex-champion Sombat stuns Suwat to become tennis chief

Sombat received 35 votes to the long-serving president’s 19 from 54 eligible club representatives. The result stunned the general assembly at the LTAT headquarters in Muang Thong Thani. “My goal is to produce a new hero for Thai tennis. I’m willing to work with every group to develop Thai tennis,” Sombat said. Former deputy prime minister Suwat had been the front runner until the day of the election and there was no hint of a competition. However, Suwat appeared stunned by the result.
“I have to accept the decision of the club representatives. I would not hesitate to lend support if I am needed,” Suwat said. However, LTAT vice president Tawatchai Samutsakorn, who presided over the election, claimed that there was lack of transparency in the way the election was held and would file a petition with the Sport Authority of Thailand (SAT) within 30 days.
But Kamonwan Sutthibut, the SAT representative who attended the election as an observer, said she was not aware of any breach of rules or lack of transparency in the conduct of the election. She said a report must be submitted to the SAT within 30 days before Sombat and his team take office.
It was believed that the outgoing team’s inability to produce talented players and certain board members’ lack of work ethic led to the astonishing result. Since the retirement of Paradorn Srichaphan and Tamarine Tanasugarn, the LTAT has failed to produce stars amidst a decline in the popularity of tennis in the country.
Sombat, 55, a former national No 1, won the 1981 SEA Games doubles gold medal along with Panomkorn Pladchuanil and reached the Asian Games singles semi-final in Seoul in 1986. He was also the first Thai to break into the top 550 in the ATP rankings.