‘Prize money at Pak domestic tennis events is fine’

KARACHI: International Tennis Federation’s Development Officer for Asia Suresh Menon has said Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has excellent national prize money in domestic circuit.

“There are 17 national tournaments offering reasonably good prize money. This is certainly a positive development and will certainly motivate more players to pursue the game more seriously,” said Suresh in his report.

Moreover, he added, PTF was giving allowance to players in the main draw and that augured well for higher level player development, but the challenge was to improve grassroots development and increase the base.

“PTF must keep dangling carrots in order to encourage regional centres, schools and clubs to take a proactive role in organising development activities. As of now very few clubs are involved in junior development activities. This needs to be changed,” he suggested.

He said the incentives could be: reward the clubs that have in place the best junior development programme; reward the clubs that produce successful juniors; and recognise the successful schools that have a well-organised programme.

“I do understand PTF has already implemented a number of points in this regard. However, I believe PTF should continue to keep focusing on some areas,” he added.

He suggested beginning with the grassroots level by implementing a systematic tennis 10 & under competitive structure using the three stages of the modified ball. PTF should organise red ball competitions in schools that are part of the JTI programme and weekend red ball and orange ball competitions in regional centres.

Suresh advised PTF to organise four Asian 14 & Under series tournaments in 2017; apply for an ITF JWR in 2017; participate in all ITF junior team competitions in 2017; and in ITF/ATF 14 & Under Division 2 championships. 

Also, he added, as the programme expands and improves PTF should be prepared to send the best juniors to compete in neighbouring countries and must apply for ITF GSDF Travel grants to support the players.

“Competitions at grassroots level need to be increased and the focus now must be on the 10 to 14 age group,” said Suresh.

Talking about the organisation of ITF Junior World Ranking (JWR) circuit (U18), he said this would depend on the situation in Pakistan and that PTF would have to keep following up with ITF juniors in this regard.