The Federación de Tenis de Chile (Fetech) is currently navigating a period of internal instability, as newly elected president Milovan Kegevic faces public scrutiny regarding his professional credentials and allegations of administrative irregularities. Kegevic, who recently assumed the leadership of the national governing body, has formally responded to these challenges by initiating legal actions and publicly defending the legitimacy of his academic and professional history.
Legal Challenges and the Dispute Over Credentials
The controversy centers on the validity of the professional titles presented by Kegevic during the election process. Critics within the tennis community have raised questions regarding the authenticity of his documentation, leading to a series of formal complaints. In response, Kegevic has filed querellas—criminal complaints—against those he alleges are responsible for spreading misinformation and attempting to undermine his administration.
According to statements released by the federation, Kegevic maintains that his credentials are fully compliant with the requirements set forth by the organization’s statutes. He has characterized the accusations as a coordinated campaign intended to destabilize the newly formed board of directors. The legal filings aim to address what the president’s camp has described as a “mano negra”—a term often used in Chilean sports administration to describe hidden, malicious influence—operating from the shadows to influence the federation’s internal affairs.
Internal Friction and Governance Concerns
The tension within Fetech reflects broader concerns among member clubs and stakeholders regarding the transparency of the recent election cycle. The allegations regarding Kegevic’s professional background have served as a flashpoint for deeper dissatisfaction regarding how the federation manages its resources and development programs.
While the legal process moves through the court system, the day-to-day operations of Chilean tennis remain under pressure. The federation is responsible for the oversight of national teams, the development of junior circuits, and the management of international hosting duties, such as Davis Cup ties. Observers note that the persistence of these administrative disputes often impacts the federation’s ability to secure corporate sponsorships and maintain stability in the development of young talent.
The Impact on Chilean Tennis Development
For the Chilean tennis community, the primary concern is the potential for these administrative hurdles to distract from the sport’s core mission. Historically, the federation has struggled to balance the demands of high-performance athletes with the logistical needs of regional associations across the country.
Kegevic’s administration has stated that it remains committed to its original platform, which includes a push for greater decentralization of tennis resources and an increase in the number of ITF-sanctioned tournaments held on Chilean soil. However, the current litigation creates a difficult environment for implementing these long-term strategies. The focus of the board has shifted toward crisis management, with legal counsel now playing a significant role in the federation’s public communications strategy.
Next Steps in the Legal and Administrative Process
The situation remains fluid as the Chilean judicial system evaluates the merits of the complaints filed by both Kegevic and his detractors. The federation has not yet announced a date for an extraordinary assembly to address these governance concerns, though pressure from regional clubs for a transparent review of the election process continues to mount.
Stakeholders are currently awaiting further updates from the federation’s legal office regarding the status of the criminal complaints. For now, the leadership of Milovan Kegevic remains technically intact, but the administration faces significant hurdles in regaining the full confidence of the national tennis community.
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