By Jason de Asis

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, November 7, 2010-Senator Antonio Trillanes IV assumed the country’s governing body for sports and embraced the task of giving table tennis a shot in the arm, adding that he has been named acting president of the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines by its board of trustees, with unanimous approval from regional presidents and member associations.

Trillanes took over Jose Ortalla Jr., who is back to his previous position as vice president, while TATAP head, Senior Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag, is on leave for one (1) year schooling overseas.

“Trillanes was thrilled to make a difference in the sport closest to his heart, having played table tennis in high school and during his cadet days at the Philippine Military Academy,” Ortalla said where the senator played regularly and promoted the game in Camp Crame.

Ortalla added that the Senator accepted the position when he was offered by the majority of the members who believe in him in promoting the said sports in the country wherein the senator wants to focus on the formation of strong national teams since table tennis is one sport where the country can excel internationally.

Trillanes plans to strengthen the national junior program which he hopes to turn into a training ground for future champions where he is also expected to preside over the hosting of the Southeast Asian Table Tennis Championship on December 12 to 15 at the Makati Coliseum.

The organizers are hoping to encourage the best paddlers in the region to boost the sports’ popularity locally. (Jason de Asis)