(ATR) David Haggerty was elected the president of the International Tennis Federation on Sept. 25.
Haggerty, from the United States, defeated Anil Khanna from India, Juan Margets Lobato from Spain, and Renne Stambach from Switzerland.He will serve a four year term through 2019.
The election was held at the ITF General Assembly in Santiago, Chile. After two ballots Haggerty was elected receiving 200 votes. Lobato and Stambach were eliminated on the first ballot.
Haggerty received 120 votes in the first ballot, short of the 197 required to win. Khanna received 151 on the first ballot before falling with 192 votes. Sambach and Lobato received 62 and 59 votes respectively.
It will be the first time that the ITF has a new president since Francesco Ricci-Bitti was elected in 1999. He served four terms, and assumed charge of the SportAccord Convention in July.
Ricci-Bitti offered his congratulations to Haggerty after the vote, saying that he is "confident that under David’s leadership, the organisation can continue to grow with the support of the ITF staff and our 210 member nations."
In addition to the presidential election, 13 positions on the ITF Board were filled through another election.
Haggerty is the first American to be elected to lead an international sport federation since Don Porter was elected the president of the International Softball Federation.
United States Olympic Committee board member and IOC member Anita DeFrantz told Around the Ringsthis was a "great day," for the United States in the Olympic movement.
USOC chairman Larry Probst called the election "historic."
"Dave has dedicated his life to the sport of tennis at all levels – as a player, business executive, and national and international sport leader," Probst said in a statement.
"He is passionate, driven and knowledgeable, and will no doubt continue to use his considerable talents to advance the sport of tennis. On behalf of the United State Olympic Committee, I’d like to congratulate Dave Haggerty on today’s historic election."
Homepage photo: International Tennis Federation
Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro
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