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| (Image Source: Business Mirror) |
In
2018, a man by the name of Jean Henri Lhuillier was recognized by the Sportswriters
Association of Cebu (SAC) for his efforts in sports grassroots development and
support for the Philippine national softball and tennis teams and bestowed upon
him the Sportsman of the Year award in the 36th SAC Awards. Lhuillier, a long-time
patron of Philippine sports, considered the said recognition as an encouragement
for him to continue doing his part in bringing glory to the local sports scene
which has been his advocacy for more than three decades.
Many
Filipino sports enthusiasts didn't know much of the PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies president and CEO's
efforts and strides for Philippine sports through the years as most put their
focus on what is happening in the local and international sports scene and curiosity
on its talked about personalities such as Chot Reyes and Ricky Vargas. Little
did some know that it was Lhuillier who is behind the former world's number 17 ranked
doubles players Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales who have been representing the
nation in some of the world's greatest tennis tournaments like the Davis Cup
and the tennis grand slams. He also started the revolutionary journey of the
Philippine national softball team, the RP Blu Girls, to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
which made an impressive run on various world-class tournaments securing wins
over some of the world's top softball teams including Australia, Canada, China,
Mexico and Chinese Taipei.
These
unprecedented achievements are a strong statement that Jean Henri Lhuillier is
on the verge of fulfilling his purpose of bringing the Philippines to the
summit of softball and tennis greatness, and it is just the beginning as he has
high hopes for these two sporting disciplines and believe that Filipinos have
what it takes to be among the world's best. Considering that he is currently
the president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines and Unified
Tennis Philippines, it is without any doubt that Lhuillier's continuing efforts
will not be in vain.
Through
Unified Tennis Philippines which he co-founded and eventually spearheaded as its
president, Lhuillier has planned out and organized more than 100 open, age-group
and club tournaments nationwide. The participation of national junior teams in
tough tournaments in Asia are also lined up as well along with the ongoing
support for Huey and Gonzales. On the other hand, Lhuillier ensures that the RP
Blu Girls' quest for a slot in the Olympics remains in full swing with major
tournaments across the globe lined up for them such as the USA World Cup,
Canada Cup and the Asia-Oceania Qualifying Tournament in Shanghai, China on
September before ending their campaign in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Let's
not forget the RP Blu Boys men's softball team with the World Men's Championships
and the Southeast Asian Games on their agenda this year.
