Though one would mistake her as the muse of the company, the comely and articulate Liza Tang works as Operations Manager of Dynamic Sports Incorporated. One would suspect the company was so named because of her unflappable dynamism

PhilTennis (PT): Hi Liza, we'd like to document what Dynamic Sports has been doing for Philippine tennis through the years. We're sure some people know, but the entire Philippine tennis playing population does not. Since when have you been working for Dynamic Sports? How would you describe your earlier involvement with the company?

Liza Tang (LT): I've been with Dynamic Sports for 6 years. But have been with the sports industry at a very young age. I could remember when I was as young as 8 years old, my mom would take me along to Chris Sports to help wrap customers' purchases. Every summer, we all helped at our shop.

PT: When did you become Operations Manager for the company? In brief, how would you summarize your responsibilities?

LT: 'Operations Manager' is just a title; basically it's a little of everything-Sales, Merchandising, Marketing, Admin etc. etc. etc.

PT: What kind of preparation did you have before you were put in charge of Operations? What was your undergraduate degree? Did you go through graduate school? What other training did you undergo to qualify you for your present position?

LT: I took up Finance at De La Salle University (DLSU), and a Marketing certificate course at Ateneo. But I would say it's more the experience and exposure that help me decide things. I joined my dad to visit trade shows abroad and meet with different suppliers, even when I was still studying.

PT: What did you have to prove before you were given your present assignment?

LT: Probably my dad saw my strong determination to achieve things and my eagerness to learn as well.

PT: Can you tell us now about the Tang family? Who was the original sportsman in the family? Was it your dad? Who else in the family is involved in sports?

LT: My dad is a sports figure! I don't know anyone who's so into sports as he is. He was with the basketball and track and field varsity teams, a hustler in billiards; bowling was the family's pastime. Swimmer, golfer tennis player and now a diver! That being said, everyone in the family has at least 3 sports each. That keeps us busy for the whole week.

PT: What sports are you involved in yourself, personally? What do you enjoy most out of this preferred sport?

LT: Where do I start? I go to the gym regularly-join some boxing and Pilates classes. I was forced to play golf when I started joining the company since it's needed for business. I then later played tennis, stopped because of the badminton craze, and am now pursuing it again.

If I'm free on weekends, I go surfing and occasionally join my brother on road biking (the "in" sports now). But I would say I enjoy diving the most-I guess because this is the only activity where you can really relax and not be competitive, while at the same time exercising and enjoying the magnificent view underwater. But I don't think this is categorized as a sports-it's more of leisure.

PT: Nostalgia time. Can you provide us a brief history of Dynamic Sports? Where did you have your first offices? Was it already here in K Plaza?

LT: Dynamic Sports Corporation was established in 1988. We started on distributing Reebok shoes then-you know the famous basketball "pump" shoes. Our office was at West Avenue before, but we had to transfer because of expansion.

PT: Do Chris Sports and Dynamic Sports form part of a conglomerate or belong to a holding company? Do you have within this group other sports-oriented companies? Can you name these companies for us?

LT: Chris Sports and Dynamic Sports are totally separate, but complementary. We treat Chris Sports as our dealer like our other customers. Chris Sports, which is handled by my mom and brother, is more on the retail while Dynamic Sports, which is handled by my dad and other partners, is on the wholesale and distribution.

PT: If Chris Sports was established earlier than Dynamic Sports, why was the latter company established with Chris Sports already entrenched in the market?

LT: At that time, there were not enough suppliers of sporting goods. Hence, my dad saw the opportunity on the wholesale business. We would like Chris Sports to concentrate on the retail side as well.

PT: With Chris Sports a sister company, what are the areas of expertise of each one? Do these areas of expertise overlap, or do you avoid duplication of function?

LT: Though Chris Sports is more on the retail side, they also started importing some fitness equipment which is their strength. We don't deal with this. Dynamic Sports is now also opening some retail shops but only specializes in golf and diving.

PT: How does Chris Sports complement Dynamic Sports, and vice versa?

LT: Dynamic Sports can import goods and force Chris Sports to sell it (laughter). Kidding aside, given the wide network of Chris Sports, the brand imported by Dynamic Sports can easily become well known.

PT: Which brands of tennis equipment and gear does Dynamic Sports carry?

LT: We carry the full range of HEAD. We also carry Gamma, Ashaway, and Toalson for the strings and other accessories.

PT: PhilTennis understands that you have often been sponsoring tennis events. Which event do you sponsor on a regular basis? How long has Dynamic Sports been at the forefront as a sponsor?

LT: For the past 10 years, the HEAD Jr. Tennis Tournament has been conducting tournaments around the Philippines for the young players, particularly in the grassroots level. We tour at least 8 cities every summer. It is our advocacy to promote and develop tennis because we believe we have a future star. This is also the time when we scout players and look for potential players that HEAD can support.

PT: Do you feature particular brands during these sponsored events, or is it institutional advertising on behalf of Dynamic Sports?

LT: We promote HEAD at all tennis events.

PT: Which of the brands that you carry is most active worldwide in sponsoring tennis events? What about here in the local circuit, which of your brands is most active?

LT: HEAD is very active worldwide. It is the official ball of the ATP, the AMS and the TMC. HEAD is also the partner of Tennis Europe, the largest regional association of the sport's governing body, the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

PT: Do the brand owners push you towards participating in particular events? Or do you initiate your own participation, at your own expense, without a share from the brand owners, particularly if you are just building volume? Or is it a healthy mix of both?

LT: Dynamic Sports and HEAD International work as partners. We suggest, get ideas and support each other. In general, as long as it would benefit HEAD and develop tennis, then we participate.

PT: Most assessments and commentaries of the sports situation in the country appear pessimistic, with perennial lack of government support and the lackadaisical performance of our athletes in international competitions. From the business perspective, can you give us your own view of the situation?

LT: This could be true. It's good to see though, that there are certain individuals and corporations who have a heart for sports. In my view, if you want to do something, don't blame someone or the government for its lack of support. Stop rumbling, but rather do something.

PT: Corollary to the country's sports situation, how would you view the situation of tennis in the country? Are you looking to have a more successful year -- or improved proceeds out of tennis -- next year, 2009? Why or why not?

LT: Given the global recession, we are forecasting that tennis would remain steady for 2009. Majority of our tennis players play out of habit already so they will not just stop because of the country's situation. It might even grow a bit because of PhilTennis who have been active lately.

PT: How do you view the emergence of beach tennis? Do you consider this a welcome development for Philippine tennis? Why or why not?

LT: Philippines is a beach country. People may not be competitive on this sport because of access issues but most would be willing to try out of curiosity. Beach tennis could be a start of interest for some (beachgoers) then later switch to lawn tennis seriously.