Pakistan Tennis Federation aims for Rafael Nadal and others to play in Pakistan
The Pakistan Tennis Federation, or PTF, has recently elected a new president Syed Kaleem Imam for the organization. On Friday, the new president who was elected on 26 November talked to reporters, saying, “My focus is to revive international tennis in Pakistan
and I have talked to few diplomats and [I am] hopeful of a positive reply shortly.”
Kaleem Imam added that he has been trying to involve World Number 1 Rafael Nadal in exhibition matches in Pakistan. He said, “I have talked to Spanish ambassador... requesting him to make an arrangement for the federation so that we can invite Nadal. His
presence in Pakistan will be a big boost for the sports of the country.”
Previously, foreign players have been adamant when it comes to playing in Pakistan; they refuse to come to the country due to security concerns. These were exacerbated further by a terrorist attack on the cricket team from Sri Lanka.
However, Imam, who is also the head of the city police, says, “We can assure foolproof security as I am heading one of the best police forces in the country.” He shrugged off the concerns about safety which were voiced by foreign players, and added that
leading tennis players such as Indian pros Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza, as well as Russian WTA pro Nadia Petrova would also be participating in the exhibition matches which will be played at the end of December for the victims of the flood.
Imam also says that he and the PTF are working on a four-year plan for the promotion of tennis in Pakistan. He says that the Pakistan Tennis Federation will focus on sports marketing and management, and that human resource audits would also be conducted
in order to gain maximum benefits. Imam says, “We are in need of massive funding. A few multinationals have ensured their financial support.”
He also added that the four-year plan will be set up soon, and that the opinions of stakeholders will be of eminent importance. He added, “we have four tournaments on our calendar: Men’s Davis Cup, Federation Cup, Asian Tennis Federation event and a junior
international title. The ladies team is set to appear in the Fed Cup after a span of almost ten years.”
The four year plan involves sending promising players to international training academies, as well as giving local coaches international training so that they can train younger players in a manner which will equip them to play tennis on a global scale. The
PTF is also scheduled to launch a promotional media campaign, which will publicize players and ensure sponsorship for almost every high-ranked Pakistani tennis player.
Kaleem Imam also stated that the country’s top seed Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi will play a major part in the federation’s efforts and achievements to promote the sport in Pakistan. He has also invited the Qureshi family to help the federation’s purpose. This decision
is a wise one, especially since Aisam-ul-Haq’s mother was once a top class tennis player and her support to both players and families will benefit the cause and raise the estimation of tennis in the country.
In addition to this, Kaleem Imam commended Aisam-ul-Haq on his Champion of Peace award, given by World Peace and Sport Forum Monaco. This is the second such award that Qureshi has won, with the first one being the Humanitarian of the Year Award by Association
of Tennis Professionals. Aisam-ul-Haq is also a Goodwill Ambassador of United Nations Development Programme.
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