SBP tennis academy inaugurated

LAHORE: Provincial Sports Minister Jahangir Khanzada on Wednesday inaugurated the first-ever Sports Board Punjab (SBP) Tennis Academy at the newly-constructed state of the art Tennis Complex here at Nishtar Park.

Director Sports Anis Sheikh, Deputy Director Mohammad Hafeez Bhatti, Secteray Punjab Lawn Tennis Association Rasheed Malik and a large number of tennis players witnessed the complex and the academy come into operation.

The minister felt proud for the province to have such an international standard complex and the tennis academy in the sporting vicinity of the city. He said that this tennis stadium will produce international players who will raise the country’s flag sky high.

He said that Pakistan has great number of talented tennis players who will be nurtured to the world level here. “It was part of the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shehbaz Sharif to have every sporting facility in the province and we will not sit idle before our goals are achieved,” he maintained. He further stated that similar development work is being carries out at various part of the province. He also stated that membership of Punjab International Swimming pool is underway and soon the squash complex construction will be initiated. He said that grounds are being developed and gymnasiums are also being constructed. “We did not have our eyes on cricket development but are only working for the development of other sports,” he added. “Sports a weapon which develops the nation and add pride in its ranks,” he maintained.

Speaking on the occasion, secretary sports Punjab Amer Jan said it’s a day to rejoice because first tennis academy of Punjab has started. “The tennis complex that cost Rs 200 million is the best in Asia and would soon start producing world class players,” he added.

He informed that Chief Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif has allocated special funds for the development of sports and SBP is working day in and day out for the promotion of sports in the province. Former Davis Cupper Rashid Malik on his part stated that this complex one of the best tennis stadiums of Asia and soon it will be hosting international tournaments. He also tanked the chief minister, sports minister and secretary sports for the development of the tennis complex.