Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone: ITF turns down request to host tie in Pakistan

The national federation wants to hold the final match of Group II in Lahore.

KARACHI: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has turned down Pakistan’s request to host the national team’s Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group II final against Chinese Taipei in September.

Veteran players Aisamul Haq Qureshi, Aqeel Khan and non-playing captain Hamedul Haq had pushed the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) to try and convince the world body to hold the tie in Pakistan, where the last match took place in 2005 against Chinese Taipei in Lahore, which they won 4-1 on grass.

Hamed feels that the chances of progressing in Group I of the zone will decrease considerably after ITF’s decision, since he was counting on home-ground advantage to spur the players. “It’s just very disappointing news for us,” Hamed told The Express Tribune. “We were very excited because we think the law and order situation in the country is much better now.”

The coach rued the fact that Pakistan do not have time to shift the tie to a neutral venue. “We could’ve gone to India as they have good grass courts in Chandigarh, but I don’t think that will happen as the process of applying for Indian visas will take too long,” said Hamed. “We might just have to go to Chinese Taipei, that’s the last option.”

Meanwhile, a PTF official said that the federation has requested the ITF to reconsider their decision, while the PTF needs to reply to the international body on their choice of surface by Friday. “The ITF has sent their observers to Pakistan, so we’re hoping for a good response,” said the official. “We were planning to hold the tie in Lahore at the Defence Club, which is a safe venue, but the negative response has put all our plans on hold.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2015.

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