Tenure restriction does not apply to ITA, says Tariq

KARACHI: Islamabad Tennis Association (ITA) has asked Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) not to interfere in the internal matters of the affiliated units to avoid any legal proceedings.

President ITA Tariq Murtaza in a letter to President PTF Aisam-ul-Haq has stated that a judgment of the Supreme Court as well as the constitutions of POA and the International Tennis Federation do not allow PTF to interfere in the internal matters of its affiliated units. “It is surprising for the ITA that the President of the PTF issued a letter [regarding ITA elections] solely based on a complaint from a club that is not part of the PTF, without consulting the ITA Authority,” said Tariq in his letter.

He added that as per the ITA constitution, which has been duly vetted by PTF, there is no restrictions of holding an office for more than two times.

Also, POA also agrees with and supports the open policy, and as per the POA constitution, there is no such restriction. “There is no two-term bar in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) constitution, and even as per the Constitution of Pakistan, there is no restriction on a two-term election participation,” stated Tariq. Moreover, he added, as per the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, any association that does not receive any grant or support from the government of Pakistan can run its activities as per its own constitution.

“The two-term restrictions are applicable only to the National Sports Federations that receive grants from the government and select teams for participation abroad, as per the Sports Policy, which is still pending in the court of law,” reasoned Tariq.