‘A true Ravian’ returns to a warm welcome

Aisamu­l Haq visits GCU, his alma mater to receiv­e a warm welcom­e from the sports board.

LAHORE: Aisamul Haq Qureshi, Pakistan’s tennis ace and former student of Government College University (GCU), visited his alma mater, where the GCU’s sports board gave him a warm reception.

Qureshi was the runner up in the US Open men’s doubles and mixed doubles and became the first Pakistani player to reach the final.

The ‘Indo-Pak Express’ of Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna secured the 6th spot in the ATP World Rankings.
Qureishi said that he owed his success to his alma mater and teachers who always encouraged him to play professional tournaments.

“I think that it was the support which elevated my confidence and backed me in the pursuance of my goals,” he said. He said he had attended very few classes as he was always busy in training or playing tournaments.

Vice chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Aftab said that even when Qureishi was at GC, he was hardly there. “He was always on leave for training or for sports,” he added.
“I was somewhat concerned about his future in those days and discussed his case with his coaches and teachers but they always belied my concerns by saying that ‘he is a star in the making’.  Now he is a big star and we are all very proud of him,” the vice chancellor said.
“He is a true Ravian,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2010.