Tajammul Abbas ITF Junior from Feb 19

KARACHI: Pakistan will host an international junior tennis event for under-18 players from February 19-24 at clay courts in Islamabad.

Syed Tajammul Abbas ITF Pakistan Junior is being held in Pakistan after a gap of nine years at Dilwar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad.“This is a big achievement for Pakistan tennis. We have started receiving entries,” said tournament director Khalil Chughtai while talking to ‘The News’.

He added that two visa requests from Kazakhstan had been received. “This under-18 category event will greatly help local players as they will get international exposure,” said Khalil. Besides, he added, the local players would also get reasonable international ranking points. “All arrangements for the event have been completed. The main round is of 32 places. The qualifying draw is the same size,” said Khalil.

He added that they had requested for a 42-place qualifying draw but the ITF did not approve that. “Those Pakistani players who have IPIN will be able to play this event,” said Khalil.He added that more than 90 percent local players have got IPIN, so there would be a big number of entries in the event. “This event is named after Syed Tajjamul Abbas, elder brother of PTF patron Dilawar Abbas,” said Khalil.

There is also a doubles event for both boys and girls with a 16-place draw. PTF patron Dilawar said they were expecting international players to play this event. “We will organise this event even if there are all Pakistanis in the event,” said Dilawar.