Ming Ramos gets BWF nod

MANILA, Philippines - Amelita “Ming” Ramos braved the minus-14 Korean weather and was amply rewarded when the Badminton World Federation said it continues to recognize the former First Lady as the legitimate head of the Philippine Badminton Association.

Ramos flew to Seoul a few weeks ago and sat down with BWF president Dr. Kang Young Joon and secretary-general Stewart Borrie. She got the chance to give the sport’s highest officials an update on the state of badminton in the Philippines.

Ramos, the PBA president since 1995, is being challenged by former national team coach Erol Chan who claims to be the rightful president of the group based on the support and recognition given him by the Philippine Olympic Committee.

But the BWF, in a letter dated Feb. 12, 2010, said it only knows of one PBA – the one under Ramos.

“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,” added the BWF sec-gen who addressed Ramos as president of the PBA.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping wrote his own letter, also dated Feb. 12, 2010, certifying that the PBA under Ramos is the “only recognized and governing body of badminton in the Philippines.”

Ramos said she expects the BWF to once again reiterate its support of her group after its executive board meeting and put an end to the leadership dispute that has threatened to disrupt the plans and programs of the association.

She said the Feb. 12 letter by the BWF should also stop Chan from using the PBA letterhead that says his group is the one affiliated with the BWF and the Asian Badminton Confederation to avoid any “legal impediment.”

Ramos said the POC under Jose Cojuangco should follow the BWF lead and start recognizing her leadership as the legitimate one.