Aqeel denies coaching reports
Pakistan number one says SL tour was part of his training.
KARACHI:
Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan has dismissed claims that he was involved in a coaching stint in Sri Lanka and said that he went to the South Asian island to train for the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania group II tie against South Korea that takes place on July 8.
Recent reports have suggested that Aqeel went to Sri Lanka to train their players and was also offered a coaching contract.
However, he clarified that he had a joint camp with the Sri Lankan Davis Cup team where both parties shared valuable experience.
"I won't be coaching another Davis Cup squad right before my own matches in the same tournament," Aqeel told The Express Tribune. "They already had two coaches with them."
"However, I did help their players on the court as we practised for the matches together. They did ask me if I could train their junior players for a three-month period but I haven't accepted it since I have to check my own schedule."
Aqeel, who insists he could have ended up wasting his time had he not gone to Sri Lanka, said that practising with the top two players of Sri Lanka has prepared him well ahead of the Davis Cup tie.
He is due to join the 18-day Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) camp tomorrow to train with US-based coach Jalil Riaz in Islamabad.
"South Korea are tough to face. They'll be stronger on their home-ground but I've put a lot of effort in preparing for this tie. I hope the joint-camp will give us the result we're hoping for," said Aqeel.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2011.
Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan has dismissed claims that he was involved in a coaching stint in Sri Lanka and said that he went to the South Asian island to train for the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania group II tie against South Korea that takes place on July 8.
Recent reports have suggested that Aqeel went to Sri Lanka to train their players and was also offered a coaching contract.
However, he clarified that he had a joint camp with the Sri Lankan Davis Cup team where both parties shared valuable experience.
"I won't be coaching another Davis Cup squad right before my own matches in the same tournament," Aqeel told The Express Tribune. "They already had two coaches with them."
"However, I did help their players on the court as we practised for the matches together. They did ask me if I could train their junior players for a three-month period but I haven't accepted it since I have to check my own schedule."
Aqeel, who insists he could have ended up wasting his time had he not gone to Sri Lanka, said that practising with the top two players of Sri Lanka has prepared him well ahead of the Davis Cup tie.
He is due to join the 18-day Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) camp tomorrow to train with US-based coach Jalil Riaz in Islamabad.
"South Korea are tough to face. They'll be stronger on their home-ground but I've put a lot of effort in preparing for this tie. I hope the joint-camp will give us the result we're hoping for," said Aqeel.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2011.