Female players to receive training in Dubai

Tennis federation in talks with sponsors for setting up coaching facility.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is looking to arrange a foreign coach to train its female players in Dubai later on this year.

According to the PTF Secretary Mumtaz Yousuf, the players’ performances in the Fed Cup earlier this year convinced the federation that the female players need to have more international exposure that will give them the confidence needed to win tournaments abroad.

‘Development of female players needed’

Yousuf told The Express Tribune, “We want our women to make a mark on the international tennis circuit the way Aisam did last year.

“But for that, we need to work on the development of female players because their male counterparts get more opportunities to play abroad as compared to the women.

“Since our female players have limited exposure to international tennis, we’re planning to set up a coaching facility in Dubai where we will appoint a foreign coach and our top four players can also participate in different tennis events that take place in Dubai throughout the year.”

PTF negotiating with sponsors

According to Yousuf, the PTF is negotiating with different sponsors in order to set up the coaching facility in Dubai because most foreign players and coaches are wary of coming to Pakistan due to security concerns.

He also said that the federation will take two months to gather the required funds for the project. Yousuf confirmed that various corporations are showing interest in sponsoring tennis activities in the country and that the PTF prefers generating funds through sponsors instead of entirely depending on the government.

Mahboob nods in agreement

Meanwhile, Pakistan number one Sarah Mahboob feels that hiring a new coach is just what is needed for female players to do well in the international arena.

“Although tennis is played the same way, we still need new methods of teaching,” said Mahboob.

“I believe that it will bring a positive change to tennis because a new coach will bring new ideas and strategies.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2011.