LAHORE - Hasheesh Kumar and Zohaib Afzal Malik won double crowns in the 8th KC Indus Pharma National Seniors & juniors Tennis Championship, which concluded at Karachi Club.
In the juniors 18 singles final, Hasheesh beat Mahatir Muhammad 7-6, 6-1. In Juniors 18 doubles, Hasheesh, partnering with Ashar Mir, outsmarted Zaeem Ghaffor/Baqir Ali 6-1, 6-2 to complete the brace of titles.
Another promising player Zohaib Afzal Malik (LGS DHA Phase V) stole the show by winning double crowns. First, he clinched U-12 singles title, outlasting Samer Zaman 4-2, 4-2 and then won the second title when he, partnering with Samer Zaman, routed Abdul Wahab/Hadi Mehmood 4-2, 4-2 in the boys & girls U- 12 doubles final. Zohaib thanked his father Aamir Malik, SA Gardens and coach M Khalid for their all-support and patronage, which is helping him excel at higher level. “I have high plans and aims, and with more hard work and dedication, I will achieve them as well.”
Abdul Hannan of Lahore displayed high quality tennis skills to defeat Asad Zaman 6-1, 6-3. The U-10 singles title was shared between Hajra (AAA Associates) and Abdul Rehman as the final was rained out.
In girls U-14 singles final, promising Inaya Sayeed played superb tennis against Aiza Jia and overwhelmed 4-1, 4-0. The finals of girls 18 singles and men’s singles were rained out and will be played later. The 35 plus doubles final was won by Asad Ali Bhagat/Khalid Ali Nazer, who got walk over against Anil Das/Bilal Anwar.
Saeed Ismail, Chairman Indus Pharma, graced the occasion as chief guest while Iqbal Dada (Karachi Club), Arif Mithani, Amin Merchant, Abdul Hafeez Moti, Javed Karin, Ali Masoor Zaidi, Noushad Ahmed, Asgher Baloch, Erum Bukhari, Raisa Ashfaq, Perween Akhter, Rafi Derbari, Rashid Malik, Ghulam Yaseen, Sarwar Hussain and Falk Naz were also present.
Mr Saeed Ismail, announced to hold next edition in 2022 with more benefits for players. The Karachi Club president, while thanking the sponsors, promised to continue supporting tennis in future as well. Gulzar Firoz, Muhammad Khalid Rehmani, Abdul Hafez Moti, Amin Merchant, Javed Karim and Rashid Malik also spoke at the closing ceremony.