Inamullah preparing courts for David Cup tie

KARACHI: Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has tasked Inamullah from Peshawar to prepare grass courts for Davis Cup tie against Hong Kong.

The tie is the semi-final of Asia Oceania group-II. It will be played at the grass courts of Pakistan Sports Board’s sports complex from April 7-9.

“PTF first gave the contract to a company based in Islamabad for Rs0.5 million to prepare grass courts for the tie despite the fact that the company prepares lawns which is entirely different from making a tennis court,” said a source.

The source added that the coaches in Islamabad protested against this step of PTF, forcing it to hand over this task to Inamullah, who is a grass court expert.

“The courts have almost been completed,” said the source. “Inam mixed special kind of sand and then leveled the court. It has become playable now. Had PTF not taken this decision, it would have led to a disaster, the source said.

PTF secretary Khalid Rehmani said that the place selected for the courts initially was a football ground. “The current place is liked by all the players,” said Khalid.

He added that the new space had 80 percent grass.

“We hope to have it ready before the tie as Hong Kong players will practise on the courts for a few days before the tie,” said Khalid.