Latest news with #PakistanTennisFederation
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Hameed-ul-Haq asks PTF to hunt fresh talent
The celebrated former Davis Cupper and national champion, Hameed-ul-Haq, who is also a President's Pride of Performance winner is being pressurized, according to him, for exposing the shortcomings of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) in healthy spirit of effecting the desired improvements. Sometime back, the tennis champion had pointed out the flawed planning and management along with few irregularities in the conduct of sports affairs purely in the national interest. But instead of taking corrective measures, the PTF started issuing explanations and show-cause notices to muzzle his voice. In a letter to Hameed-ul-Haq, the PTF has expressed its reservations on the champion's criticism of the tennis body, and blamed him for furthering personal interests through the media. The PTF also blamed that the champion is violating the code of conduct and constitution of the sports body. The PTF said that it has always invited him (Hameed) for inputs and suggestions, and his diatribe is, thus, unwarranted. Hameed-ul-Haq, however, in a rejoinder while refuting the allegations termed them as unfounded and with mala fide intent. He said that the PTF is making no serious effort towards new talent development, and the national representation is now being sustained by aging players. "The decline is visible across all categories of men's, women's and junior teams that have delivered poor performance in recent years", he reminded the PTF. The Davis cup player from 1984-1997, and winner of Presidential Award of Pride of Performance in 1999, called for transparency and democratic values within the tennis institution. Hameed offered an olive branch to the PTF by seeking its cooperation in addressing the problems of tennis, in order to revive the glory of the sport once again in Pakistan.
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Shayan represents Pak at ITF Asia 14
Pakistan's promising junior tennis player, Muhammad Shayan Afridi, has been selected to represent the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Team in the Asia 14 & Under Development Championships Finals 2025. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place from April 22 to May 3, 2025, at the DLTA Stadium, New Delhi, India. Shayan earned this opportunity based on his outstanding performance at the regional qualifying event - ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championships held in Sri Lanka, where he won the Leg-1 final and was runner-up in Leg-2. Shayan arrived in India on April 20, 2025, ahead of the championships, which brings together top emerging tennis talents from across Asia. The participating players are from the following nations: Iraq, Syria, Singapore, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Myanmar, Maldives, Malaysia, Korea, Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, China, and Turkmenistan. Shayan expressed his gratitude to the BARD Foundation Pakistan and ACE TENNIS Academy Pakistan for sending him to a one-month training camp in Thailand. He also thanked the Pakistan Tennis Federation for organising a one-month training camp for the Pakistan 12 & Under team in Kazakhstan in collaboration with the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. Additionally, Shayan praised the Pakistan Tennis Federation for conducting a one-month training camp in Islamabad with foreign coaches Robert Davis and Lalovic, saying, The training camps played a major role in my selection in the ITF team. Mr. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), expressed his delight at Shayan's selection, saying, "I am extremely happy for Shayan to be selected for the ITF team. This achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work. To be selected in the ITF team is not an easy job, but Shayan has done it through his amazing talent. I wish him all the best and hope he will bring more laurels to Pakistan." Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail, Secretary General of the PTF, also congratulated Shayan and his family on this remarkable achievement, stating, "Shayan's selection is evidence that Pakistan is full of talent. I wish him a successful performance in the event."
Express Tribune
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Shayan Afridi represents Pakistan at ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championships finals in India
Listen to article Pakistan's promising junior tennis player, Muhammad Shayan Afridi, has been selected to represent the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Team in the Asia 14 & Under Development Championships Finals 2025. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place from April 22 to May 3, 2025, at the DLTA Stadium, New Delhi, India. Shayan earned this opportunity based on his outstanding performance at the regional qualifying event - ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championships held in Sri Lanka, where he won the Leg-1 final and was runner-up in Leg-2. Shayan arrived in India on April 20, 2025, ahead of the championships, which brings together top emerging tennis talents from across Asia. The participating players are from the following nations: Iraq, Syria, Singapore, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Myanmar, Maldives, Malaysia, Korea, Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, China, and Turkmenistan. Shayan expressed his gratitude to the BARD Foundation Pakistan and ACE TENNIS Academy Pakistan for sending him to a one-month training camp in Thailand. He also thanked the Pakistan Tennis Federation for organising a one-month training camp for the Pakistan 12 & Under team in Kazakhstan in collaboration with the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. Additionally, Shayan praised the Pakistan Tennis Federation for conducting a one-month training camp in Islamabad with foreign coaches Robert Davis and Lalovic, saying, The training camps played a major role in my selection in the ITF team. Mr. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), expressed his delight at Shayan's selection, saying, "I am extremely happy for Shayan to be selected for the ITF team. This achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work. To be selected in the ITF team is not an easy job, but Shayan has done it through his amazing talent. I wish him all the best and hope he will bring more laurels to Pakistan." Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail, Secretary General of the PTF, also congratulated Shayan and his family on this remarkable achievement, stating, "Shayan's selection is evidence that Pakistan is full of talent. I wish him a successful performance in the event."
Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Opportunities wasted by PTF
The approach of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) towards development of tennis in Pakistan is flawed. Instead of investing in grassroots programmes, the federation office-bearers are focusing on joyriding foreign junkets and meaningless events like the Serena tournament, featuring a clutch of old faces past their prime, comprising over 45 men and over 30 women. This is a blatant waste of precious sponsorship money. The lone achievement cited of Aisam-ul-Haq's victory was in an event for non-professionals. The consequences of the PTF's mismanagement are palpable in the plummeting standards of Pakistan tennis. Pakistan's women's team during the current management's tenure has been relegated from Group 2 to Group 3 for the first time in history, while the men's team continues to suffer humiliating defeat after defeat in the Davis Cup, barely clinging to Group 2 and perilously close to being relegated to Group 3, following the humiliation suffered by the women's team. It is high time the PTF got serious and took responsibility for its actions instead of presenting a false picture of achievements and splurging precious sponsorship money, keeping even the sponsors in dark about the sad reality of declining tennis standards in the country. Lt Col (retd) Asif Dar Islamabad
Express Tribune
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Waheed sets record for most serves
Pakistan's Talha Waheed has aced his way to a world record, smashing the mark for most tennis serves in a minute, Guinness World Records said on Wednesday. Waheed destroyed American John Perry's 2019 record of 42 by delivering 59 successful serves in a November attempt that was ratified this week. Pakistan Tennis Federation President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi hailed the 47-year-old's achievement as a major inspiration for young players. "This is exactly the boost Pakistani tennis needs," he said. Guinness World Records, originally known as The Guinness Book of Records, is an internationally recognised reference established in 1955 after an argument about which was the fastest game bird in Europe. Today, Guinness World Records serves as the global authority on record-breaking, celebrating remarkable and often bizarre achievements. A veteran competitor in national and international senior tennis, Talha has won multiple national titles in the 35+, 40+, and 45+ doubles categories. Internationally, he has participated in ITF senior world ranking tournaments, reaching a career-high ranking of 144 in the 40+ doubles category. Talha set out to surpass the previous record of 42 successful serves in one minute, held by John Perry of the United States since 2019. Following an intensive three-month training program, he made his official attempt on Nov. 8, 2024, in Lahore, adhering to Guinness World Records guidelines. On March 10, 2025, Guinness World Records confirmed Talha's achievement, officially recognizing him as the new world record holder. Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, along with Secretary General Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail and other PTF officials, congratulated Talha on his milestone. "Talha's achievement is unique, and securing a place in the Guinness Book of World Records is no easy task," Qureshi said. "This will serve as a great inspiration and a major boost for tennis in Pakistan."
