Holding tennis tournaments in Ramazan tedious: PTF

Cites preparation for upcoming events and player fatigue as main reasons

KARACHI: Rather than hosting any Ramazan tournaments like every year, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has decided to focus solely on the preparations for eight international events the country is hosting this year.

According to the PTF Secretary Khalid Rehmani, night tennis is a great activity, but holding the Ramazan tournament was getting a bit tedious with many players expected to back off from the event, therefore, the federation and local associations decided to take a break in the holy month and prepare for the events being hosted this year.

“We really wanted our players to rest in Ramazan considering we have a very busy schedule this year, with eight international tournaments taking place in the country too,” said Rehmani. “Although, some matches take place at the Union Club in Karachi after iftar,” he added while speaking to The Express Tribune. “We have held Ramazan night tournaments previously every year, but this time we decided to change the trend, Tennis is a different case altogether, it’s not like cricket or other sports,” he further revealed.

Meanwhile, Sindh Tennis Association player and coach Eibad Sarwar said that the Union Club has been holding sessions at night and players from all the age groups have been coming to play.

“We have several facilities at the Union Club; younger children come in the evening, while older players who fast during the day come at night. I feel it is a good thing to get a break in Ramazan, because now we can prepare for the tournaments starting right after Eid,” said Sarwar.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2016.

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