PTF issues visa letters to foreign players

KARACHI: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has issued visa letters to around 20 foreign boys and girls for participation in the Syed Tajammul Abbas ITF Pakistan Junior, which will be held at the S Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex Garden Avenue in Islamabad from February 19-24.

The event is being held after a gap of nine years.“We have issued 12 visa letters to boys and 8 or 9 letters to girls. The players will start arriving from the 16th of this month,” said Tournament Director Khalil Chughtai, while talking to ‘The News’ .

He added that only Indian players might face some problems in getting visas but the PTF has still issued them visa letters and asked for a favour from the concerned ministry regarding visas.

Khalil said that security arrangements for the tournament will be like those made for the Davis Cup tie.“We have the most efficient security plan for Davis Cup matches and similar arrangements will be made for this event,” said Khalil.

Foreign players in the main draw include Britain’s Zyaan Ahmed, Malaysia’s Darrshan Suresh, USA’s Arjun Mariyappa, India’s Arthav Neema and Nishad Kalluri, Thailand’s Rattanan Siritaworachan, Hong Kong’s Mathew Yee and Michael Chung Tin, Canada’s Ghouse Faisal and Korea’s Seonung Cho.

There will be 32 places in the main round with as many places open in the qualifying draw. Pakistan had requested a qualifying draw of 42 places but it was not approved by the ITF.There will also be a doubles event with 16 places open in the qualifying draw.