ITF awards more events to Pakistan, says PTF chief

ISLAMABAD: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has awarded two more international junior circuit events and three Futures to Pakistan for the year 2018 following renewed efforts on the part of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF).

PTF President Salim Saifullah Khan confirmed to ‘The News’ on Sunday that the PTF had succeeded in earning the hosting rights of two more junior international events this year.“Earlier the ITF were reluctant to give more junior circuit tournaments to Pakistan on the pretext that matter was taken up late. However, renewed efforts helped us get two more junior circuit events for 2018.

“The two back-to-back events will now be held in November this year. It is very encouraging news for the Pakistan juniors who are knocking at the door of senior circuit,” Salim Saifullah said.

Pakistan had already hosted one junior circuit event earlier this year. “Two more events in 2018 would help strengthen the base of Pakistan tennis,” the PTF chief said.“Tenacious follow up with the international federation offices and their juniors committee, the ITF has allowed us two more events in a special case.”

The PTF has also received encouraging news for the senior circuit as the PTF has been given all clear to stage three $15,000 tournaments this year in Pakistan. Pakistan also hosted three events in 2017.

“On the same pattern, we have been awarded the hosting rights of three more international circuit events in 2018. Hopefully these events would be organised in December and would be back-to-back ones considering keen interest of foreign players.”

Last year over 30 foreign players were seen in action in three events that also included Benazir Bhutto International Tennis staged at the Islamabad Tennis Complex. The other two tournaments were staged at the PTF Complex.

Meanwhile, the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) has awarded two international circuit events for Karachi. These events would be organised by Sindh Tennis Association in July and August.Salim Saifullah said that all these international events would help juniors not only improve their rankings but also improve standard of their tennis.

Meanwhile, Muzammil Murtaza, Huzaifa A Rehman (JDC), Asjad Qureshi are in Koza-World of Sports, (Istanbul) these days for coaching and training. They would be soon joined by Nauman Aftab (junior from Karachi).