The former ITF executive director for development has vowed to challenge David Haggerty in a leadership contest next year.
Dave Miley, who worked for the governing body of tennis for 25 years before resigning in 2015, has confirmed that he will launch a bid for presidency after winning support from ‘member nations.’ Miley is a two-time Irish men’s doubles champion. He has previously been in charge of overseeing the juniors, veterans and wheelchair activities of the ITF. In 2016 he applied for the position of chief executive for Tennis Ireland, but missed out. However, Miley later received €6,500 in damages after the Workplace Relations Committee (WRC) found that he has been unfairly discriminated against due to his age.
“Following significant encouragement and support from ITF member nations, I have informed the current ITF President and Board of my plans to run for President of the ITF at the next AGM,” said Miley in an email send to The Irish Times.
It is understood that Miley has won the support of nations in both Europe and Asia following his time spent there working as a consultant.
In recent months current ITF head Haggerty has come under increasing criticism concerning the changes being made to the Davis Cup. Earlier this year plans to turn the final of the competition into a 18-team week-long event were given the green light. Dividing opinion in the sport. At this year’s Davis Cup final between France and Croatia, Haggerty was heckled at by opponents of those changes.
Despite his critics, Haggerty told reporters that he has ‘no regrets’ about the plans. Insisting that the move wasn’t motivated solely by money. Investment company Kosmos has pledged to invest $3 billion into the Davis Cup over the next 25 years into the new format.
“I get energy from something I believe in. The reforms from Davis Cup were needed and the Fed Cup will follow just behind it, from my perspective, I believe we are doing the right thing.” Said Haggerty.
“The ITF has never just looked at things on money alone. To us we are the governing body of the sport, so we want to grow participation and interest in the sport.“
Miley has given little sympathy to the attempts of the American chief. Saying that he has been ‘surprised and saddened’ by the direction of the ITF and their ‘deteriorating relationship’ with some member nations. Although he didn’t name who those nations were.
“Since I resigned from the ITF in 2015, I have followed closely the direction of the ITF and have been both surprised and saddened by the current challenges facing the organisation, especially as they relate to Davis Cup, as well as the ITF’s deteriorating relationships with many important tennis constituents,” he said.
“For 25 years, I worked for the ITF and for 17 years I acted as director of development, leading the ITF’s largest department. I care deeply about the organisation and believe that my extensive knowledge of the ITF and success in international tennis to date, combined with a successful business background, qualifies me to seek this position and, if elected, deliver strong leadership and vision for the future.”
The ITF leadership contest will be held in September 2019 at the annual AGM meeting. Haggerty has held the position since 2015.
