Benazir Bhutto Tennis not to be held this year: Senator Taj Haider

ISLAMABAD: The annual high-profile Benazir Bhutto National/International Tennis Tournament, offering one of the best prize money, will not be staged this year following the recent ransacking of the Islamabad Tennis Complex by the capital city government.

Senator Taj Haider, patron of the complex and Benazir Bhutto Academy, which was operational on the sidelines, told ‘The News’ that the Sindh government will not be in a position to sponsor the event following what has been done with the venue where a leading circuit event has been organized for years.

“Look, the Islamabad Tennis Complex not only used to organise the over Rs2 million national circuit event every year, but it also organised the international tennis named Benazir Bhutto International on no less than three occasions. World’s leading tennis players even from the top hundred players participated in those events.

However, the city government in Islamabad has no respect for such an international activity. They ransacked the venue a few months back, making it difficult for the Sindh government to financially support the venture.”

Senator Taj confirmed that no financial support will be extended by the Sindh government till the original status of the complex is restored. “That is more important because besides hosting such a prestigious event, the venue also served as the Benazir Bhutto Academy. The able and well-versed coaches used to train budding players to learn the basics of the game.

The academy has produced some of the leading juniors currently busy playing at national and international junior circuits. Over and above, the venue also provided special children the opportunity to get training twice a week.

These special children always enjoy playing tennis here as these were engaged in competition according to their disabilities. These special children have also been deprived of the amusement and enjoyment by the Islamabad’s local government.”

Taj added that he would not get involved in any blame game as the matter is subjudice, he wants to make it clear that organising Benazir Bhutto national or international event would not be possible till the time the complex is restored to its genuine position.”

Kamran Khalil, the High Performance ITF Certified coach who is also director of the complex said that over the years he imparted free of cost training to numerous youngsters. “I have just returned from the USA after performing my ITF duties. Over the years I took time out to train youngsters and devoted time to making the complex a place where the best tennis knowledge can be imparted. The majority of the juniors, busy getting training have no place to get the skills. The years of my hard work and training have gone to waste.”