Timely steps to save tennis demanded

LAHORE Pakistan Tennis Federation Senior Vice President Col (Retd) Asif Dar has admitted flaws in training camp which was set up at PAF Complex for Davis Cup tie against South Korea due from July 7. He expressed these views while talking to Waqt News program Game Beat on Tuesday. When asked about the reasons of shifting the camp to PAF instead of PTF Tennis Complex, Asif Dar said: I am not aware of that the reasons are best known to the PTF President Syed Kaleem Imam, he said and added; may be the camp was shifted to PAF because of better facilities and proper accommodation for players. When asked by this correspondent regarding the non-implementation of more then 30 promises made by the PTF SVP, Irshad Bhatti, replied: We are trying to implement each and every promise in true spirit and the work has already started on many projects. When asked about how many of these have been completed he denied reply as the phone line was dropped and despite repeated attempts the line was not connected. Hameedul Haq former Davis Cupper while ruling out Pakistan chances against South Korea said: We have never managed to beat Korea at their own soil. This was the weakest of home teams and Pakistan had a bright chance of achieving the unique feat of beating the home side, he added. PTF has blew away their chance by starting Davis Cup camp too late and the top Pakistani player Aqeel Khan, who has just returned from Sri Lanka after completing coaching assignment is short of match practice and despite several promises of sending Aqeel and other top players abroad for training nothing was done in reality, he concluded. Col (retd) Asif Dar has also admitted that he is not fully satisfied with the teams preparations. The most important Davis Cup tie is round the corner and PTF has still not picked the team to appear in Davis Cup tie. Jalil Khan who earlier had withdrawn in his younger brothers favour against Hong Kong now changed his mind and wanted to represent the country. PTF spokesman must have to give the answer to one simple question, what is important for them country or players who is Jalil to decide the fate of tennis if he is not ready to play then he should be dropped without any hesitation. Pakistan tennis is passing through its crucial stage make or break if correct decisions were not taken by the PTF then it might be eliminated from the scene.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt