BWF continues to recognize Ramos

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) continues to recognize former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos as the legitimate head of the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA).
Ramos sat down with BWF president Dr. Kang Young Joong and secretary-general Stewart Borrie in Seoul recently and was assured of the continued support from the world governing body in the sport.
The BWF then wrote the PBA a letter,  dated Feb. 12, 2010, reassuring Ramos of its recognition.
“I wish to confirm, as we did in our meeting in Seoul, that the BWF has not endorsed or recognized any alternative governance or management group of the Philippine Badminton Association,” said Borrie in the BWF letter.
“I have written a report for Dr. Kang and the BWF executive board and this will be an agenda in the executive board meeting in Birmingham on March 13, 2010,” Borrie added in his letter addressing Ramos as president of the PBA.
Erol Chan, a former coach of the national team who was in charge of the PBA’s grassroots development program, claims to be the rightful PBA president, and is now said to be using the association’s letterhead.
Ramos said that Chan is using a PBA letterhead that says it’s “affiliated” with the International Badminton Federation (now known as the BWF) and the Asian Badminton Confederation.
The former First Lady, a badminton doubles champion in her younger days at the University of the Philippines, said there’s a “legal impediment” in the use of the PBA letterhead by another group aside from her’s.
But Ramos is not considering going to court to stop Chan from using the BWA letterhead.
“I’m willing to give up the presidency of this association to someone whose interest is the sport, and not his own personal interests,” said Ramos.
Ramos is hoping the BWA will issue a stronger commitment to support her leadership. She also called on the Philippine Olympic Committee to take an official stand on the issue after having shown its support of Chan’s group.
Ramos also said her association, including its address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address, was in the WBF directory that was included in its 2009-2010 annual.
The WBF also continues to recognize Ramos’ set of officers, including (ret) Gen. Edgardo Aglipay as its executive vice president, George Piano as sec-gen and Rod Tan-Gatue as treasurer.
Ramos said the PBA has already paid its membership dues for 2010 with the WBF worth $2,800.