PTF camp reaches climax

ISLAMABAD - The PTF's ongoing training camp under the command of Indian coach Birbal Wadhera is slowly but steadily heading towards its conclusion. As many as 23 youngsters are taking training in two sessions daily, morning session from 8am to 12:30pm and evening session from 4pm to 8pm. The heat is taking its toll and the lads are getting minor injuries but to their credit they are not letting the heat dictate the terms and are working very hard to gain maximum learning from the coach. On Wednesday the main focus of training was how to play close to the nets and controlling the lob, said Birbal while talking to The Nation at the camp. When asked by this correspondent about the ever rising temperature how the camp trainees are coping with it, the coach replied: "I am very much impressed with the attitude of these youngsters. Although it is getting very hot but the youngsters are keeping focus on their game and are not ready to concede," the jubilant coach said. Birbal is being assisted by former tennis stars Inamul Haq and Asim Shafiq throughout the campaign. While expressing his views, Inam said the motivation and dedication of the coach towards the kids is quite astonishing; Birbal is really working very hard on these kids and by looking at his commitment towards his job, one thing is clear that these youngsters will produce results in the coming future both at national and international levels, he concluded." When asked as to why the youngsters not are being trained under lights as they keep on playing under the sun, the coach replied: "We are working on it and the next phase of the training camp will be under lights," he concluded. The presence of PTF President, Syed Kaleem Imam, was enough for the lads for motivation. Birbal said, "I am thankful to the PTF President Kaleem Imam that he is always very kind and attends the training sessions on regular basis."

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