Rerun of tennis poll looms as ousted chief quells ‘rebellion’ 

SAT governor Sakon Wannapong said he received the letter from LTAT vice president Tawatchai Samutsakorn and executive members asking that the election result be scrapped. The poll delivered a shock result, with Sommbat Euammngkol ousting long-time incumbent Suwat Liptapanlop 35 votes to 19.

 

The 37 clubs claimed that Saturday’s General Assembly had not covered all the minutes as required and that Tawatchai considered the election result invalid.

 

Governor Sakon said the SAT would investigate the matter and decide in the next 15 days whether a new election should be conducted.

 

Suwat has stayed under the radar since losing the election, but he visited LTAT headquarters earlier yesterday in a bid to clear the air with deputy secretary general Thaithanu Wannasuk, a representative of the member-clubs who voted against him.

 

Suwat emerged to say he was happy that conflicts had been resolved among the clubs and LTAT executive members and insisted that forgiveness and harmony were the key to strengthen the tennis body. Thaithanu, meanwhile, confirmed that his faction of at least 37 member-clubs of the total 62 would support Suwat in his bid to resume his post.

 

A lack of new Thai tennis stars, inefficient teamwork and a huge budget for exhibition matches were believed to have prompted opposition to Suwat’s management. But the incumbent president said he would clarify his policy to produce stars and be more open to opinions. He also insisted that money for star-strewn exhibition matches in Thailand came from sponsors, not the LTAT budget.

 

Meanwhile Sombat said that if the SAT ruled in favour of the 34 club delegates, he would consult with his legal team over his next move.

 

“I was elected as the new president according to the rules and with transparency,” said Sombat.

The controversial poll has caused quite a stir among star players. 

 

Sanchai Ratiwatana took to Facebook: “One good thing about being a professional is that you don’t have to rely on the tennis association,” he posted. “You can go on tour without having to acknowledge them.”

 

Last week, his twin brother Sonchat congratulated Sombat on his election win, saying he would prefer a former player as the new president rather than a politician.