New Delhi, India, April 9, 2020: The Asian Tennis Federation has paid tribute to a former ATF President, Salvador “Buddy” Andrada, who died in the Philippines on Wednesday, April 8.
“The ATF is saddened to learn of the passing of the former President of the Asian Tennis Federation, Col Salvador Andrada,” the ATF said in a statement.
“Col Salvador Andrada was an accomplished sports administrator and had held various distinguished posts in sports during his time. He had been the distinguished former President of the Asian Tennis Federation, former President of the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA), former Vice President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and former Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
“He had been a greatly admired and loved personality, not just in the Philippine sports fraternity but also in the Asian tennis fraternity. He had been ailing for the last few years. May his soul rest in peace.”
ATF President Kitsombat Euammongkol said: “It is a great loss for the Asian tennis fraternity and is a sad day for all of us. Col Andrada was an inspiring person and a great personality.
“We have lost a great leader and he will always be fondly remembered and missed. We all stand in solidarity with the family and PHILTA.”
The retired military man was the only Filipino to have served as president of the Asian Tennis Federation, which was founded in Manila in 1964. He was later bestowed the ATF honorary lifetime president title.
During his stint as tennis chief, the Philippines reached the Davis Cup World Group playoffs in 1991 with Felix Barrientos among those in the team.
He also helped bring in superstars of the sport like John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, who played in the “Fire and Ice” series at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in 1989.
For many years he was a member of the powerful Philippine Olympic Committee executive board and served as chef de mission in several international competitions.
His expertise and wide experience also earned him an appointment as a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission during the time of President Benigno Aquino III.