Tennis: We need to host international events, says PTF

Local officials to propose plans to Asian tennis federation.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has joined hands with the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) in a bid to bring back international events to the country after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) continued to express its concerns about the security situation.

The PTF will hold junior tournaments in November – one of them will be the South Asian Countries Under-16 Junior Championship – according to PTF Secretary Mumtaz Yousaf, who is also pushing for the ATF to start new tournaments in Pakistan and promote the sport. The issue will be stressed upon at an ATF meeting on September 22, where Yousaf, along with the ATF executive member Dilawar Abbas, will be putting forward ideas.

“We need international tournaments in the country,” Yousaf told The Express Tribune. “Now that we can’t really do anything about bringing ITF events here, as they are not willing to give us hosting rights country due to security concerns, our best bet is the ATF. Our proposal includes the Asian Junior Davis Cup ties as well. That way our players will get the international exposure at home and at the same time Asian players will have more tournaments to participate in.

“Therefore, asking the ATF to start new tournaments here is also in our agenda.”

Meanwhile, while talking about security issues, Yousaf said that the PTF was preparing for national seniors and juniors event in Quetta next month in collaboration with the Sindh Tennis Association (STA).

“The STA is one of the most active units with in the federation; therefore, we are holding the domestic event in Quetta to tone down security concerns. We do need to be careful but by holding these events we will be able to send out a positive message to the international community that if we can successfully hold national championships here, we are also capable of running international events.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2012.