An advisory issued by the club requires all Individual Service Providers (ISPs)—including coaches, trainers, ball boys and other service personnel—to complete documentary requirements by June 30 or risk losing access to the club beginning July 1. The club says the move is needed for accreditation, health and safety, and regulatory compliance.
On paper, that sounds reasonable. The problem, according to increasingly vocal members, is that many of these workers supposedly already complied with similar requirements earlier this year. They are now allegedly being told to undergo another round of medical clearances and documentation because their earlier submissions were never processed or have supposedly lapsed.
Members claim the repeat exercise would force many ISPs to shell out another P750 for medical examinations. That’s no small amount for ball boys and support staff who rely on daily earnings. They also question why the burden should fall on workers if delays occurred within the club's own accreditation process.
The uncertainty is creating anxiety well beyond the tennis courts. Sources say hundreds of ISPs serving various sports, from tennis to equestrian and other facilities, could be affected if they fail to meet the deadline.
Some members worry that access to coaches and other service providers could become severely disrupted just as July begins. Under the advisory, ISPs with incomplete documentation may only enter if pre-arranged with a member and cleared by the Sports and Athletics Office, while those without accreditation will be treated as guests and corresponding guest fees will apply.
The timing has only added fuel to the fire. Critics see the latest controversy as reinforcing a perception that the club's leadership has become increasingly heavy-handed at a time when it is already facing questions over governance and transparency surrounding the proposed billion-peso tennis project.
Whether the documentation drive is simply an administrative cleanup or another self-inflicted public relations headache will become much clearer once July 1 arrives. Either way, it's yet another distraction that Manila Polo Club management probably did not need.
Senior Reporter
