Indian tennis chief to visit Lahore

KARACHI: At a time when sports relations between India and Pakistan have been hit by harsh statements from top government officials, Indian Tennis Federation president Anil Khanna is arriving in Lahore on Thursday (tomorrow).
“He is coming as a guest to our National Junior Tennis Tournament being held at Bagh-i-Jinnah, Lahore, in which 150 kids are participating from all over the country,” secretary Punjab Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA) Rasheed Malik told ‘The News’.
He said Anil was coming only as a guest and there were no other plans.
It seems PTF has adopted a parallel, safe route for keeping its relations with its Indian counterpart intact, sources said.
The relations between India and Pakistan have been affected due to the issue of bilateral cricket series.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif instructed cricket chiefs not to take any step without his permission.
Federal interior minister Chaudhary Nisar had earlier stated that he would oppose the visit of Pakistan cricket team to India.
He said that the Indian government was backing Shiv Sena’s extremism. He further said that he would raise this issue also before the Prime Minister.
This is for the first time that a top official of the Indian tennis body is coming to Pakistan.
Eight Indian tennis players participated in an international event in Lahore earlier this month.
Four others are taking part in the 4th Karachi Club Pakistan ITF Seniors World Ranking Tennis Championship at Karachi Club from November 21-27.
PTF president Salim Saifullah Khan, who is an ally of the current ruling party and Senator, has used his influence to arrange visas for the Indian players, both for Lahore and Karachi events.
The PTF voted for Anil Khanna for the post of president in the elections of International Tennis Federation (ITF) last month. Though he failed to win the election, he was elected as one of the vice presidents.