Pakistan asks ITF to re-assess security for tennis events

ISLAMABAD President Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas has requested the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to send its security experts to Islamabad and Lahore for international competitions. Speaking at the ITF annual general meeting, which was held at Washington, Dilawar Abbas said that Pakistan was a safe place for the tennis players and the PTF organised international events in Islamabad and Lahore successfully. A spokesman of the PTF said that Senator Abbas attended the ITF annual general meeting in Washington and availed the opportunity to discuss the future Davis Cup ties and international juniors tennis fixtures to be played in Pakistan. He was able to convince the ITF to send independent security consultants to Pakistan for making an assessment of the security arrangements at Lahore and Islamabad. The ITF top management including the president ITF assured him for full support and cooperation in this regard. At the same time, Dilawar Abbas, who is also senior vice president of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) and elected member of the board of directors of the ATF, presided the ATF regional annual general body meeting in which president ITF Francisco Ricci Bitti joined him and assured that the ITF would render all possible support to the Asian body. Senator Abbas thanked the president ITF for the promotion of the game in the region. Meanwhile, in a statement, the PTF appreciated Aisams efforts for organising a charity match in Dubai. Aisam has already requested Bryan Brothers availability in December. However, the dates will be confirmed later on. The PTF would like to organise such a match in Pakistan on confirmation of Aisam and Rohan Bopana in the near future. President PTF has already discussed the matter with Aisam. Owing to non-availability of Bryn Brothers for Pakistan, a mixed doubles match in Islamabad or Lahore will be held in which Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopana from India vs Aisam Qureshi and Nadia Petrova would be arranged. Nadia Petrovas availability has also been assured.