LAHORE-Bilal Asim and Abubakar Talha claimed three titles each in the Aitchison College Junior National Tennis Championship that concluded here at Aitchison College tennis courts on Tuesday.
In the boys U-18 final, Bilal Asim (SICAS) beat Farman Shakeel 3-6, 6-4, 4-0 (rtd). Bilal doubled his titles when he, partnering with Ahtesham Humayun, beat Farman Shakeel/Ali Talha 7-5, 6-0 in boys U-18 doubles final. He completed the hat-trick of titles by thumping Asad Zaman 6-0, 6-2 in boys U-16 final.
Talking to media, Bilal dedicated his first-ever grass court national title to his mentor and coach Rashid Malik, saying, “It was all due to able guidance and coaching of my coach Rashid Malik, who trained me well and transformed me into a champion. I am working very hard now and keen to do well at Asian level.”
Abubakar Talha of Wapda was another rising star, who grabbed three titles in the event. In boys U-14 final, Abubakar beat Omer Jawad 6-2, 6-4 to claim the first title. He doubled his titles when he, partnering with Zohaib Afzal Malik, defeated Ameer Mazari and Muzamil Khan 5-4, 5-3 in boys U-14 doubles final. SA Gardens’ Abubakar, student of FG Middle School Mazhar Lines Lahore Cantt, completed hat-trick of titles by beating Omer Jawad 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 in boys U-12 final. Omer Jawad is a student of Beaconhouse Walton Campus and training under coach Naseeb of FF Club DHA Lahore.
Zohaib Afzal Malik (LGS Phase V) also completed the brace of titles when he, partnering with Hamza Ali Rizwan (LGS Paragon), outpaced Omer Jawad/Ismail Aftab 4-2, 4-1 in boys U-12 doubles final. Earlier, Zohaib, partnering with Abubakar, grabbed U-14 doubles title by beating Ameer Mazari/Muzamil Khan 5-4, 5-3.
In girls U-12 final, Bismel Zia clinched her maiden national title by beating Hajra Suhail 4-2, 4-5, 4-0. Bismel thanked her coach Rashid Malik and assistant coach Amjad Farooq for their superb tennis lessons that helped her clinch first national title. She vowed to work harder and learn finest techniques of the game to win more national titles.
In girls U-18 final, Amna Ali Qayum beat Zahra Suleman 6-0, 6-2 to lift the title. In boys/girls U-10 final, Rashid Ali Bachani beat Hajra Suhail 4-1, 4-0 for the title. In boys/girls U-8, Ahsan Bari bagged gold medal, Mamnoon Bari silver and Daniyal Andullah bronze. In boys/girls U-6, Soha Abdullah won gold medal, Mamnoon Bari silver and Saeed Shafi bronze medal.
Principal Aitchison College Lahore Mr. Michael Thomson graced the concluding ceremony as chief and he, along with PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik, distributed prizes and shields among the winners in the presence of players, their families and tennis enthusiasts.
Rashid Malik thanked Principal Aitchison Michael Thomson for his consecutive support for junior development and continuously sponsoring this championship, where promising tennis players take part every year from across the country.