Hameed lauds Saifullah over Pak Davis Cup success

ISLAMABAD: The victorious Davis Cup team’s non-playing captain Hameedul Haq attributes the recent wave of success to untiring efforts of Salim Saifullah Khan, president Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF).

Talking to The News, Hameed who helped Pakistan blank powerful Korean 4-0, said players had given their hundred percent knowing well that they had got the support and backing of the federation and its president. “You cannot earn laurels at international front unless and until you have a leader who is sincere and has the ability to work for the game uplift and for players welfare at all front. We are really lucky to have Salim Saifullah Khan as PTF president. During the last three years, tennis standard in Pakistan has improved by leaps and bounds.” Pakistan Davis Cup non playing captain said Pakistan has won Group I tie after lapse of 13 years. “Despite having aging players who have been serving Pakistan tennis for the last two decades, we have kept our team amongst the best in Asia.”

After winning the tie against Korea Pakistan has enhanced its image as the best in Asia. “It is during the untiring efforts of Salim Saifullah Khan that now international tennis is back in the country in a big way. Davis Cup is here and so are international Future events. Pakistan Inshallah would continue to host major international events in days and months to come. Our players got tuned up because of these international events.”

Hameed, the recipient of ITF Davis Cup commitment award, said that raising grass courts in Islamabad had always been a difficult task. “No grass court expert of Lahore and Karachi was ready to buy the idea of establishing such courts in Islamabad. It was due to personal interest of PTF president that quality grass courts were established at the Sports Complex vicinity.”Hameed believed that contributions of Aqeel Khan and Aisam Khan for country’s tennis had been unprecedented. “Both are legend of the game and need backing and support from the government and multinationals.”

Hameed appealed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to personally invite Davis Cup winning team and announce some rewards for them. “Winning against the best of Asian team is no small achievement. Aqeel and Aisam have been serving Pakistan tennis for decades now. They need recognition and backing from the government and from our head of state.”

Former Pakistan No 1 hoped that the duo would also give their best during the tie against Uzbekistan. “Pakistan have chance against Uzbekistan. The way Aqeel and Aisam have played against Korea, I am hopeful that the same exhibition of tennis could well win us the tie against Uzbekistan.”