Badminton association elects new president

MANILA, Sept. 29 (PNA) -- The Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) has new president after grassroots development chairman Errol Chan was voted unopposed during a special general assembly over the weekend at the Quezon City Sports Club.

A total of 49 PBA members gave Chan the mandate to lead the PBA, replacing former president Amelita 'Ming' Ramos who did not attend nor send her representative.

Ramos declared the exercise illegal due to lack of announcement through 'paid advertisement'.

Chan accepted the new challenge, vowing to focus on solidified grassroots sports development program.

“But first thing first. We have to buckle down to work and transmit all vital paper and documents to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for perusal. We are also set to inform our international federation about this development in the PBA,” said the 54-year-old Chan.

Chan expressed readiness to face the legality issues on conduct of the election, the first since 2002.

Romeo Cacatian, president of Guagua Badminton Club, presided the meeting and has claimed he has informed Ramos ahead of time.

"We failed to receive confirmation reply about the notice we sent. For whatever reason, the PBA secretariat also refused to accept the notice. The general membership is eyeing to reform the association and we have no choice but to push through with the meeting and the election," said Cacatian.