Indian players interested in visiting Pakistan for ATT: PTF

Official confirmed that duo have applied to take part in Islamabad ranking event

KARACHI: Two Indian players have registered for the Men’s Asian Ranking Tennis Championships — part of the Asian Tennis Tour (ATT) — that is scheduled to begin on October 23 at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Complex in Islamabad.

According to PTF secretary Khalid Rehmani, registration for the first leg ended on October 8 and two players from India have applied to take part in the tournament.

Rehmani believes that while more international participation is needed, the interest from across the border is a step in the right direction.

“The registration deadline for the first tournament was October 8,” Rehmani told The Express Tribune. “The international participation for the first ATT event in Pakistan is low, but it’s a good sign that we have two Indian players who want to come here. The tournament will be featuring Pakistan’s top players too, including Davis Cuppers Aqeel Khan and Muhammad Abid.”

The tournament is designed to provide a chance to the participants to gain enough points to play in the Asian Tennis Federation circuit. The ATT is being held for the first time in Pakistan, with previous tournaments having taken place in India, Thailand and Libya already this year.

Rehmani further said that the PTF will support the Indian visitors in every way they can, adding that the tennis communities in both the countries are cordial toward each other.

“We have excellent relations with the tennis community in India,” said Rehmani. “However, visa clearances are subject to the relations between the two governments. We’re hoping for the best.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2016.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.