Unknown too many Pakistanis,
the country’s tennis team is now among the top 16
in the world
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan
delivered an historic performance when Pakistan defeated
Taiwan to progress, for the first time ever, into the
World Group play-offs of the Davis Cup. In doing so, Pakistan
today stands, shoulder to shoulder with the top 16 tennis
playing nations in the world.
Pakistan recorded this historic
feat on Sunday last, on the grass courts of Lahore’s
Defence Club. Pakistan virtually outplayed Taiwan, 4-1,
in the three-day Asia Oceania Zone Group One semifinal.
And as usual, it was left to the two stars of Pakistan
tennis, Aisam and Aqeel Khan who delivered extraordinary
performances. It was a repeat of their performance in
March, earlier in the year when they downed the formidable
Thailand, 3-2.
Never before have we succeeded in
booking a place for ourselves in the World Group qualifiers.
Rather, for years now, Pakistan had struggled to avoid
relegation from Group One to Group Two. In fact, it was
only last year when Pakistan struggled to a 3-2 success
against New Zealand in the play-off, in Islamabad. Pakistan
gained a 2-1 lead as Aisam and Aqeel won the doubles but
losing the first reverse singles by Aisam put Pakistan
at the verge of relegation.
However, Aisam who is currently
ranked 215 in the world, led Pakistan from the front.
First, in the competition against the Thais, he carved
out the biggest victory of his career when he beat Thailand’s
ace and world no 33, Paradorn Srichapan in the first reverse
singles, in a hard fought two hour 40 minute battle. Aisam
is in fact the form of his life. So far he has remained
unbeatable in the matches that he’s played against
Thailand and Taiwan. His partner in this march to victory
has been Aqeel who has also performed well. But it is
the doubles combination with Aisam that has proved lethal
and has grown in maturity with the pair winning their
ties against Thailand and Taiwan.
Last month, Aisam and Aqeel also
excelled in the Islamic Solidarity Games, in Saudi Arabia,
by winning three gold and a bronze medal that helped Pakistan
onto the medals table. Pakistan won the team gold, men’s
doubles title and the men’s singles final through
Aisam. The losing semifinalist, Aqeel, got the bronze.
Sunday’s victory in Lahore
was a matter of great pride and immense satisfaction.
The nation is looking forward with great hope that the
PTF will build on the victories and such memorable moments
will become common in the future.
The PTF should work out a plan for
establishing permanent coaching centres in Lahore, Peshawar,
Islamabad, Karachi and Quetta. Services of foreign coaches
should be acquired, if possible through the PSB. A good
number of foreign coaches are attached with different
national sports federations and Cuban coaches have been
providing training to our boxers for more than a decade.
Let the PTF seek the services of foreign coach through
the PSB.
However, the saddest thing about
Pakistan’s historic victory in Lahore, was that
it was ignored by the state-run PTV. It was sad commentary
on those who matter most in seeking sponsorship. The organizers,
it was reported failed to provide the required facilities
to the media to carry out their professional commitments.
Whatever the reason, tennis fans in particular missed
great action.
In the Davis Cup ties, neighbouring
India too won and regained its place in World Group play-offs
with an impressive 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan at its
home court in Jaipur. The other 14 countries in the play-offs
are Spain, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Chile,
Sweden, Belarus, USA, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada,
Belgium and Ecuador. The next round of the David Cup will
be held from September 23 to September 25.
According to available information,
Pakistan will be pitted against either the USA or Spain,
this coming September. Both are formidable opponents.
Nevertheless, success in the Islamic
Games’ tennis and entering the World Group play-offs
are the landmarks of our national tennis. Aisam has already
been honoured with the President’s Pride of Performance
award on the recommendation of the PTF. The Federation
should also recommend such an award for Aqeel who under
very hard and trying conditions stood the challenge to
contribute to Pakistan’s entry in the World Group
play-offs for the first time ever.
