Irreconcilable differences with Kegevic: Directors resigned from the Tennis Federation explain their exit

The Chilean tennis community has been thrown into turmoil following the resignation of five former directors of the Tennis Federation, who cited "irreconcilable differences" with the newly elected president, Milovan Kegevic. The resignations were announced on June 12 by Eugenia Fernández, Cristóbal O'Ryan, Francisco Puelma, Iván Navarro, and Felipe Ortiz. Their departure comes just days after Kegevic was elected as the new head of the federation, raising questions about the future direction of the sport in the country.

In their public statement, the resigning directors emphasized that their decision was based on fundamental disagreements regarding the nature and substance of Kegevic's candidacy. They pointed to publicly available information, widely reported by the press and confirmed by the judicial system, which they believe demonstrates that the current leadership does not adhere to the essential values of Chilean tennis—particularly integrity, transparency, and institutional credibility. The group also stated that they have submitted all relevant documentary and legal evidence to the National Institute of Sports (IND) and the Electoral Commission, hoping these bodies will take appropriate measures to protect the legality and values of the sport.

The resigning directors explicitly denied that their decision stemmed from personal conflicts or political opposition. Instead, they framed their exit as a principled stance rooted in their belief in a unified, modern, transparent, and credible Chilean tennis. However, they expressed concern that the current administration lacks the necessary conditions to advance such a vision. This sentiment reflects broader unease within the tennis community over the legitimacy of the election process and the qualifications of the new leadership.

Kegevic’s election has sparked controversy due to his ongoing legal troubles. He faces criminal charges related to his involvement with the Valle Dorado Club, where he is accused of embezzlement and alleged forgery of a signature. Additionally, there are allegations of domestic violence against him. These issues have raised doubts about his suitability to lead the national tennis organization, especially given the emphasis placed on ethical governance in sports.

Among the concerns raised by the resigning directors are the representativeness of certain associations that participated in the electoral process and criticisms directed at members of the list supporting Kegevic. Another contentious issue involves the proposal made by the new president to distribute part of the profits from the Davis Cup among affiliated associations. In response to criticism of this plan, Kegevic clarified during an interview with *El Deportivo* that he had proposed allocating 60% of the resources and profits from the Davis Cup to the federation itself, while the remaining 40% would be shared among all national associations.

Beyond the Davis Cup proposal, Kegevic addressed his legal challenges, describing them as minor matters. He mentioned his association with a non-governmental organization focused on the development of Quintero and environmental protection, explaining that some administrative issues remained unresolved concerning customs procedures related to donated clothing for fishermen. He also referenced a past dispute involving a mining company, where he claimed someone attempted to file a complaint against him due to his prominence. Despite acknowledging his impulsive nature, he insisted that all issues had since been resolved without financial obligations.

The situation highlights deep divisions within the Chilean tennis community, with significant implications for its governance structure and reputation. As the new administration moves forward, the actions taken by the National Institute of Sports and the Electoral Commission will likely determine whether the controversies surrounding Kegevic's leadership can be effectively addressed. Meanwhile, the resigning directors continue to advocate for a more transparent and credible approach to managing the sport, emphasizing the need for unity and reform.