Jean Henri Lhuillier: Pushing Philippines to Softball and Tennis Glory
Jean Henri Lhuillier, a long-time
Philippine Sports patron, was awarded last year as Sportsman of the Year in the
36th Sportswriter Association of Cebu (SAC) Awards. The
recognition was well-deserved by someone who has served and supported
Philippine Sports for more than 3 decades in the fields of basketball, tennis,
softball, while throwing support also to select athletes in bowling and
swimming. Lhuillier was recognized for his efforts in sports
grassroots development and support to national teams in softball and tennis in
the country.
“It was a recognition that I do
not take lightly; it encourages me to continuously do my part in bringing glory
to Philippine sports,” said Lhuillier who is also the President of the Amateur
Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) and the Unified Tennis
Philippines (UTP).
Nowadays, Lhuillier has been
focusing on bringing Philippines to the summit of softball and tennis
greatness. Lhuillier is the man behind former world number 17 doubles player
Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales who currently represents the nation in some of
the world’s greatest tennis tournaments such as Davis Cup and tennis grand
slams.
Lhuillier is also the man behind
the 2020 Tokyo Olympics quest for the RP Blu Girls, who has made an impressive
run in world–class softball tournaments securing wins over world’s top 10 teams
such as Australia, Canada, China, Chinese-Taipei, Mexico, along the way.
Despite all these achievements,
Lhuillier is not about to stop yet. “I’m just getting
started. I have high hopes for both Philippine softball and tennis and
softball as these are 2 sports that I firmly believe that we have what it takes
to be the world’s best and I vow to give my best to make these dreams a
reality, said Lhuillier.”
Through the Unified Tennis
Philippines which he co-founded and now spearheads as its president, Lhuillier
has planned out 104 tournaments nationwide from open, age-group and club
tournaments. National junior teams’ exposure to tough tournaments in Asia
are lined up also as well as continuous support of top players Huey and
Gonzales.
For softball, Lhuillier ensures
that RP Blu Girls’ quest for an Olympic slot goes in full swing with major
tournaments lined up such as the USA World Cup, Canada Cup, and the
Asia-Oceania Qualifying tournament in Shanghai, China on September before
ending their 2019 campaign in the Southeast Asian Games. Lhuillier has
high hopes also for the RP Blu Boys and he has lined up the World Men’s
Championship in June and the Southeast Asian Games for the men’s softball
team.
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