(ATR) The race for the presidency of the International Tennis Federation is going right to the wire, Around the Rings is told.
Four candidates are in the running to replace Francesco Ricci Bitti at the the ITF’s Annual General Meeting in Santiago, Chile on Friday. They are David Haggerty of the USA, India’s Anil Khanna, Juan Margets Lobato of Spain and Switzerland’s Rene Stammbach.
Ricci Bitti, head of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, is vacating the top job in world tennis after 16 years in the post. The new ITF chief will take the reins at the end of the year following several months of transition.
More than 280 delegates, including partners and staff from national and regional associations, are attending the annual assembly.
ATR is told that the race for the ITF presidency is wide open, with no clear front-runner. The four candidates will each address the AGM before the 145 federations cast their votes in the elections.
Stammbach admits to ATR that the election is "very unpredictable", saying the results "very much depends who makes it to the second round.
"For a second round scenario I am quite confident," he said.
Haggerty vows to use all his extensive experience in the tennis industry to grow the sport. This experience includes roles for the Prince Racquet Company, Dunlop Slazenger and Head as well as positions on the US Tennis Association board of directors and as chair of the USTA and US Open.
In comments to ATR, he talks about the "huge global potential" for the sport’s further growth "especially with new thinking with our key properties, Davis Cup and Fed Cup."
"Having spoken with many member nations over the last few months it is clear that we need to ensure that their voice is heard better and increase our revenues so that they can invest in what matters most: the development of the sport and the athletes," he told ATR.
"I know with 100 percent confidence that if I am given the honor of being elected as ITF president this is something that I can, and will deliver, as I draw on the extensive experience, understanding and relationships I have built up over 32 years of working in the business of our sport," Haggerty added.
Margets couldn’t spare the time to comment about his campaign amid a last-minute round of frantic lobbying in Santiago.
But his well-designed website sets out the seriousness of his ambitions for the sport’s worldwide development. Under a pledge to enhance the ITF’s flagship events, he proposes to create a ‘World Cup of Tennis’ by combining the Davis Cup and Fed Cup finals in one neutral venue.
He promises to "significantly improve tennis’ position within the Olympic Movement" as well as investing more in the grassroots game, increasing commercial revenues and providing more financial benefits for national associations.
All India Tennis Association president Khanna declines to confirm to ATR how much support he has in his own backyard amid reports that he can count on the backing of the 37-strong Asian block of nations who are eligible to vote.
"I believe the entire tennis world is one. ATP and WTA are also promoting our wonderful sport and I look forward to working with them. Nations from all regions are supporting my message," he told ATR.
The result of the ITF presidential election is expected late Friday.
Also at the general assembly, elections will be held for the new ITF board of directors for a four-year term from 2015-19. A total of 26 candidates are standing for 13 positions.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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