Pursuing diplomatic channels: Pakistan’s Davis Cup deadline almost over
PTF actively involved in getting Chinese players to tour country in March
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is busy making last-ditch efforts to convince the Chinese government to send their players to Pakistan for their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie in March before the deadline to choose a venue ends.
Pakistan made a breakthrough this year by qualifying for Group I after nine years when Aisamul Haq Qureshi, Aqeel Khan, Samir Iftikhar and Abid Ali Akbar won the Group II final in September against Chinese Taipei in Turkey.
However, Pakistan have been unable to host any of their home ties in the country since 2005 due to the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) concerns over security.
Davis Cup Group I: Light at the end of the tunnel for Pakistan
Pakistan were hoping for China to visit them for their Davis Cup’s first-round tie after receiving backing from the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) last month.
But despite ATF’s strong support and assurances from the PTF, the ITF has conveyed its reservations for holding the tie in Pakistan, asking for the event to be held either at a neutral venue or in China.
The deadline for the PTF to decide on either of the two options ends on December 17.
Pakistan on brink of reviving international tennis
“We still haven’t given up and are pursuing diplomatic channels between China and Pakistan,” PTF secretary Khalid Rehmani told The Express Tribune. “We aren’t even thinking about playing in China or going to a neutral venue until our deadline is over.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2015.
The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is busy making last-ditch efforts to convince the Chinese government to send their players to Pakistan for their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie in March before the deadline to choose a venue ends.
Pakistan made a breakthrough this year by qualifying for Group I after nine years when Aisamul Haq Qureshi, Aqeel Khan, Samir Iftikhar and Abid Ali Akbar won the Group II final in September against Chinese Taipei in Turkey.
However, Pakistan have been unable to host any of their home ties in the country since 2005 due to the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) concerns over security.
Davis Cup Group I: Light at the end of the tunnel for Pakistan
Pakistan were hoping for China to visit them for their Davis Cup’s first-round tie after receiving backing from the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) last month.
But despite ATF’s strong support and assurances from the PTF, the ITF has conveyed its reservations for holding the tie in Pakistan, asking for the event to be held either at a neutral venue or in China.
The deadline for the PTF to decide on either of the two options ends on December 17.
Pakistan on brink of reviving international tennis
“We still haven’t given up and are pursuing diplomatic channels between China and Pakistan,” PTF secretary Khalid Rehmani told The Express Tribune. “We aren’t even thinking about playing in China or going to a neutral venue until our deadline is over.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2015.