Tennis federation plans to scout Aisam’s successors

Young talent to be the main focus, says the Federation.

KARACHI: The newly-elected Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) officials are keen to focus on young talent to unearth more players like Aisamul Haq Qureshi for the future.

The PTF’s special council meeting, which was held yesterday in Islamabad under the chairmanship of PTF President Syed Kaleem Imam, emphasised plans to scout out talented youngsters from all over the country and groom them for the international stage.

“The main focus of this PTF set-up is to prepare youngsters who can shine in international tournaments,” the PTF Secretary Mumtaz Yousaf told The Express Tribune following the meeting. “Players like Aisam and Aqeel have been serving for a long time but they are not the future of our country. We lack tennis stars because of which our objective is now to give more players who can achieve laurels at the international stage.”

He said a committee of the federation has been formed that will work with affiliated units to polish young players from all over the country.

“We have asked all units to prepare a list of their talented players on whom the PTF can work on.”

Yousaf said after receiving the list, the PTF will support the players in their training as well as their participation in international tournaments apart from assisting them in getting financial assistance or jobs.

“We will try to secure jobs for the talented players who are not associated with any department. We are in talks with various sponsors and departments in this regard.”

He said the body would also increase the number of national events in order to give more exposure to local players of its affiliated units.

Hopes of international revival

The PTF, though disappointed after the Davis Cup snub, is hopeful of hosting an international tournament next year.

“It is disappointing that we have to play our home tie abroad again but we are in talks with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) which has assured its support for holding an event next year.”

The ITF following a negative report by its security officer moved Pakistan’s Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II tie to Hong Kong that will be played in March next year.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2010.