Pakistani tennis sensation Aisam-ul-Haq welcomed with open arms in
Lahore
Aisam-ul-Haq arrived at the Lahore airport at 7:30pm on Wednesday, where scores of his fervent supporters and enthusiasts were long waiting to hail their new champion.
As soon as he became visible to the huge crowd standing outside the airport, he was cheered with applause and slogans of ‘long live Aisam’ and ‘our new hero’. He was coming straight from New York, after playing the 2010 US Open.
Despite his loss in the finals of both mixed doubles and men’s doubles in the tournament, Aisam’s fans, relatives and tennis officials lauded him for playing two weeks of brilliant tennis, where he fought and won every match till
the two finals. He was also commended for playing the vital role of spreading peace and of setting a precedent, therefore acting as a role model for others to follow.
Government officials and Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) representatives adorned Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi with a garland while fans were seen screaming and shouting in support of the new tennis sensation.
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is now famously known for his bold gesture after the US open men’s double final, where he had attempted to allude to a positive image of his country by saying “We are not terrorists, we are very friendly and
peace-loving people, we want peace as much as the rest of the world.”
The 30-year old Aisam was very close to winning Pakistan's first Grand Slam title. His controversial teaming with India's Rohan Bopanna in the men's doubles was also admired; the friendly Indo-Pak Express is in striking contrast
to the struggling peace efforts between Islamabad and New Delhi.
Aisam-ul-Haq’s achievements were also timely as sports fans were down and out with the menacing spot-fixing scandal and match-fixing allegations which have damaged the image and following of cricket in Pakistan.
Aisam and his Czech Republic partner Kveta Peschke went down to Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan in the mixed doubles final of the US Open on Friday, before Qureshi and Bopanna lost to the Bryan Brothers in the men's doubles final the
following day.
“I am pleased that I have been able to bring some joy to my countrymen,” said Qureshi. Aisam was very happy that amidst the floods, terrorist attacks, and cricket scandals, he has managed to bring a smile to the faces of many Pakistanis.
“I didn't win the titles but I am sure I will do that in the years to come,” added Qureshi, who plans to play exhibition matches with Rohan Bopanna soon.
Aisam became the first Pakistani to reach the finals of a Grand Slam event (US Open 2010) - news welcomed by President Asif Ali Zardari and millions of Pakistani fans.
Aisam-ul-Haq's success will have long term effects in not only promoting tennis in Pakistan, but his pairing with Rohan Bopanna, which has already been praised by the international media, will help in promoting peace between India
and Pakistan.
Aisam’s parents have been supportive of his progress and have also had many emotional moments as they were overwhelmed by their son’s achievements. His parents also spoke on the occasion.
“We are proud of his achievement and by reaching the finals of the US Open he has made the nation proud,” his father Ehtesham said.
“His partnership with Bopanna has already been praised by Indian and Pakistani media and throughout the US Open Qureshi-Bopanna pair got more praise because they come from rival nations,” Ehtesham said.
“I was always confident that my son will do it and write a new chapter in the history of Pakistan's sports and will bring a Grand Slam title soon,” said mother Nausheen Qureshi, herself a former national tennis champion. She added,
“He has become a role model for the youth,” she said.
It is refreshing to see a sports personality being welcomed with open arms in Pakistan these days, after the reception that the likes of Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir got alongside disgraceful PCB chief Ejaz Butt.
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