Aisam wants govt, civil society to invest in tennis

ISLAMABAD: International Aisamul Haq pleaded to the government and civil society to work on the uplift of sports in the country as “it is the only way to earn good name and groom world beaters and to improve overall plight of people.”

Talking to media following historic 4-0 win against Korea, world No 30 doubles player who recently reached the quarter-finals of Australian Open, Aisam said that along with Aqeel Khan he had been serving Pakistan tennis for the last twenty years. “I would appeal to government and civil society to realize the importance of sports. While all other countries around us invest heavily in sports, Pakistan have not been able to realize the importance of modern world. To get good name and to build your nation on strong footing you need to invest heavily in sports. I am sorry to say that we have not realized the importance of sports at any level. We two have been serving the country’s tennis for almost two decades now. Nothing so far has been done to prepare our backup. I am concerned as far how long we would be there to represent Pakistan on the highest level in tennis.”

Aisam said Pakistan was falling behind on sports front. “That is mainly because we have not been able to realize the importance of sports. Better start realizing the importance right now rather than repenting the lost opportunity ten years ahead.”

He said that talent in Pakistan is in abundance. “What we need is to streamline that talent. Channelize the system, giving required exposure and training to available talent in each and every game to get results internationally.”