Pakistan relied on Aisam and Aqeel Khan – both in their early 30s – in the 3-2 Davis Cup Asia/Oceania group II win over Lebanon but despite sealing the team’s progress, Aisam issued a stern warning to budding players and urged them to improve their game.
“The juniors have to start beating us at national level before thinking about representing Pakistan,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “Aqeel has been Pakistan number one for the last decade and has been winning local events non-stop. Even in the Davis Cup, I didn’t want to play three days in a row but the coach didn’t have confidence in the youngsters so it was down to me and Aqeel to take Pakistan through.
“The gap between us and the youngsters is huge. They simply have to work harder if they want to take our places.”
Maik echoed Aisam’s views, confirming that he did not feel confident in resting Pakistan’s fortunes in the hands of Yasir Khan and Mohammad Abid.
“They’re talented but not capable of playing live Davis Cup matches,” said Malik. “If we were 3-0 ahead, we might’ve considered giving them a go but we made a decision in Pakistan’s interest. This is also a wake-up call for the federation. It needs to look at what it has done in the last 12 to 15 years and how we’re going to win after Aisam and Aqeel retire.”
Malik emphasised the need of targeting the 12-16 age-group and giving the youngsters five years of high-class coaching before expecting them to produce the desired results.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2012.
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Shariq, good players can help influence upcoming players. I didn't blame Aisam for not producing players but Rashid Malik who has been working has head of Punjab Coaching Center and other influential positions for the last two decades. Malik would rather act as a tout for untalented and rich players to play davis cup undeservedly before they proceed abroad for their higher studies.
As for Aisam, all I said was that instead of pointing out talented players in the country, he keeps repeating only his cousins' names in the media. To be honest Aisam can do much more. He has a lot of corporate good will which he can utilize. People like Bhuppati have already done it in India.
Thori see izat mili aur Aisam sahab phail gaye. Why don't you start training kids? Or have you left it for your retired life when you will not be able to move half your body muscles?
@yasir...it's not Aisam's job to produce tennis players. All the great tennis players have been produced by their country's federation. Federer is a product of the Swiss Tennis Federation. I agree Rashid Malik has not been able to produce a player but you can bring in Nick Bollitieri to Pakistan and he wouldn't be able to produce a tennis player here. The problem lies with the Federation and the problem of the Federation is lack of investment and money. The reason why we always develop cricketers is because of the amount of sponsorship it has plus job security to an extent. Who would want to invest themselves in tennis knowing there's no job security and not much money to gain out of the sport in Pakistan?
It is ironic that Rashid Malik is saying this because despite coaching for 20 years, he has failed to produce a single world class tennis player. As for Aisam, it will help if he gives guidance to other juniors rather than simply promote his cousins blindly.