Pakistan will have to wait until the security situation becomes ‘feasible’ to hold Davis Cup on their home soil as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rejected Pakistan Tennis Federation’s (PTF) appeal after its home tie was shifted to Lebanon.
The Davis Cup Asia/Oceania group two tie was moved to the away venue after the ITF, based on information gathered by its security consultants, cited inadequate security arrangements despite Lebanon’s willingness to tour. The PTF, following the decision, appealed to the sport’s governing body but the request, too, was rejected.
“The ITF has rejected our appeal,” PTF Secretary Mumtaz Yousuf told The Express Tribune. “It said it can’t allow us to host Davis Cup matches until the security situation in the country becomes feasible for such activities.”
There exists, however, hope for future ties as the ITF, according to Yousuf, has promised to tweak its law on the shifting of matches.
“The ITF has given us two options for our future home ties. Firstly, it has assured us the ties barring inevitable circumstances. Also, if the matches are forced to be moved away, Pakistan will have the option of choosing the new venue, something that is not possible under the current rules.”
Pakistan have not hosted a Davis Cup tie since 2005 when back-to-back ties against Thailand and Chinese Taipei took place in Lahore. Since then, teams have shown reluctance to tour due to security concerns and as a result, Pakistan lost hosting rights for matches against Oman, Philippines, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
“The situation is improving in the country and we’re hopeful that future matches will take place in Pakistan.”
No foreign coach for Lebanon tie
Meanwhile, the PTF has decided against hiring a foreign coach for the tie against Lebanon. Two foreign coaches - India’s Birbal Wadhera and the US-based Jalil Riaz - were brought on-board for the clash against South Korea in July which Pakistan lost 4-0, their worst defeat in 33 years.
“We didn’t get any benefits from the foreign coaches and this time we will rely on our former players to prepare the squad,” said Yousuf before adding that former Davis Cup players Rasheed Malik and Mohammad Khalid were top contenders for the role of the non-playing captain.
“One of them will lead the side and the other will supervise training.”
Aqeel, Aisam certain but PTF wants rookies too
The two-week training camp will start in Islamabad next month where eight players will be invited and the five-man squad will be chosen from there. Aisamul Haq and Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan will be exempted from the trials while the remaining three berths will be determined through trials.
“We will favour youngsters if they perform well in the trials.”
The ties will be held in February, after the Australian Open in which Aisam will be Pakistan’s sole entry.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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And regarding the FIFA issue - yes, Bangladesh did try to not visit Pakistan.
FIFA apparently is a better judge of the security situation, because the match was played on July 3, 2011 in Lahore - SAFELY.
Ha ha ha ha ha - so, the ICC and ITF are wrong and BIASED.
BTW, thanks for proving my point.
@Fatah: whatever you are saying has nothing to do with the ITF cancelling tennis matches in pakistan because of terrorist threats there. But i am going to do you a favour and correct some of the misconceptions which has been fed to you.
Tamil is an ethnicity and not a religion. The LTTE leader prabhakaran is a catholic. His political ideology is Marxism. Have you heard the name Anton Balasingham? Does "Anton" sound like a Hindu name to you? There are many Muslims among the Tamils. I am sure you will find Muslim members in LTTE too. I don't know about you but converting to a religion doesn't mean that you can convert from your ethnicity but I have read that many Pakistanis have archived the impossible task of even converting their ethnicity.
Karkare made no such statements about the Indian army generals. You should stop listening to zaid hameed and the nonsense he spouts.
Are you saying now that the ITF won't allow Pakistan to host Davis cup matches because LTTE is a terrorist group?
If you love your country, you should be fighting against the Taliban and the Islamist extremists in your country. Fighting against imaginary enemies created by zaid hameed won't bring back davis cup matches to Pakistan. Introspect before blaming imaginary enemies like the "zionists" and such.
@RajX - it has to do with a distortion of historical fact. There have been more terrorist attacks in India that have been caused by Hindu Terrorists to set up innocent Indian Muslims. The Indian news media and government officials would start the chant of "Pakistan Did It" - but really the terrorist attacks were committed by Hindu Terrorists, not Indian Muslims.
This is what Indian ATF chief Hemant Karkare investigated and officially found that high level Indian Cabinet ministers and Indian Army generals were involved in the organizing and material support of Hindu Terrorist groups.
Please remember that Gandhi was killed by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu Terrorist of RSS.
So, before commenting on why Pakistan is not hosting ITF or ICC matches - please answer why the RSS, a Hindu Terrorist group, has been operating in India for over 80 years.
India's RAW has been proven to be very active in supporting terrorists acts in Pakistan.
Solve your own problems in India. Why are the Naxalites in active rebellion in 29 areas of India?
So, the answer to your question is that India is deliberately trying to distort facts and suppress Pakistan, while it really is India that is the problem.
India supported the Tamil Tigers (a Hindu terrorist group) and invented the suicide bomb vest (not Muslims).
@Fatah: what does a Hindu terrorist got to do with ITF not holding matches in Pakistan because of security concerns? Did this hindu guy purohit send suicide bombers into Karachi and Lahore resulting in the cancellation of the Davis cup matches or is it the very Islamic Taliban doing it? Can't you even think straight?
@Fatah: Are you not being dishonest by not giving the full story? Bangladesh actually refused to visit Pakistan for the FIFA matches and requested a change of venue because of security concerns but FIFA rejected the plea. Is FIFA a better judge of the security situation in Pakistan than Bangladesh? Instead of trying to delude yourself about the current situation in Pakistan, try to fix it so people coming in will feel safer.
@Fatah:
I am Muhajir and have lot of relatives in India. I too will not agree the term Hindu terrorism when we ourself oppose the term Muslim terrorism.
The fact is only Minority group in either of the Religion are involving in terrorism. Majority are Peace lovers.
Khudha Hafiz.
@RajX - Please answer why FIFA sanctions matches in Pakistan?
Do soccer matches require less security?
@RajX - it is pathetic that Indians can not take care of their own problems but try to harp on Pakistan.
You never answered my questions - a PREDICTABLE response from an Indian who REFUSES to acknowledge HINDU TERRORISM in India.
How is the Trial of Lt Col Purohit? - an Indian Army officer who used Indian military explosives (RDX) to attack and kill Indian Muslims!
@Fatah: A very predictable response. I would have been pleasantly disappointed if its been any other way.
FIFA, the world's largest sports org, has sanctioned multiple international soccer matches in Pakistan - all of which were hosted safely.
End of Story.
Maybe because they are in the pay of the "Hindus" and "Zionists"...
How is Lt Col Purohit and the RSS Hindu Terrorists?
Why is India still arresting Muslims for Terrorist attacks committed by Hindus?
Hemant Karkare was right - the Indian government is controlled by Hindu Terrorists.
Pakistans should think hard about why international organizations consider Lebanon safer than Pakistan. Don't blame the "Hindu" BCCI .they got nothing to do with tennis. Or the other favourite villains...the "zionists".