Pakistan needs more tournaments: Aqeel

Khan rues the lack of facilities and infrastructure in Pakistan which has failed to produce more quality players.

LAHORE: While Aisamul Haq Qureshi continues to make tennis headlines in Pakistan, his Commonwealth Games and Davis Cup partner Aqeel Khan has rued the lack of facilities and infrastructure in Pakistan which has failed to produce more quality players that can represent the country in international tournaments.

Khan, who is currently training in Lahore for the Commonwealth Games with Qureshi, urged the federations to hold more tournaments thus allowing him and the other top players enough practice.

“We used to have the International Tennis Federation tournaments in Pakistan three years ago but now they’ve been cancelled due to the security situation in the country,” Khan told The Express Tribune.

“We’re zero on infrastructure. Our national circuit isn’t that big as we only have five or six big tournaments. To improve quality, the federations must increase that number. You’ll then improve the players’ performance as right now, we don’t get enough competition from the players on the circuit.”

While praising Qureshi’s efforts, including his US Open feat, Khan urged the authorities to capitalise on the attention.

“We need to ensure Qureshi’s feat has a long-lasting effect on tennis in Pakistan.”

While fears of postponement surround the Commonwealth Games, Khan, and Pakistan captain and coach for the event Mohammad Khalid, confirmed that preparations were in full flow and they are expecting to depart for India next week.

“We’re planning as per schedule and hoping the event goes ahead,” said Khalid. “Since it’s an individual event, the training will help the players regardless of whether the event takes place or not.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2010.