Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi

KARACHI: The NA Standing Committee on Sports has instructed the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) to rename its sprawling complex in Islamabad after country’s greatest tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi forthwith.

Expressing its displeasure over naming of the PTF Tennis Complex by its former President Syed Dilawar Abbas after himself, the committee observed that it was against the norms that the man at the helm of affairs gave his nod to the executive committee to tag the facility to his name.

The meeting, which was chaired by MNA Tayyab Siddiqui in the absence of Chairman Iqbal Mohammad Ali, lasted for around one-and-a-half hour. It unanimously recommended that Aisam-ul-Haq was the most deserving person for the honour.

The committee also urged upon the government to share the PTF’s burden by providing International Tennis Federation’s (ITF’s) annual fee of US $ 14,000.

Emphasising the need for promoting the game at the grassroots level, the committee called upon the country’s governing body of the game to promote School Tennis Initiative and Talent Hunt to scout talent. The committee also asked the PTF to promote women’s tennis alongside the men’s game.

Speaking on the occasion, Sports Minister, Engr Shaukatullah assured the committee that its recommendations would be implemented in latter and spirit.

President PTF, Syed Kaleem Imam, who succeeded Dilawar Abbas, gave a resume of the game. Besides, the sports minister and president PTF, the meeting was also attended by the committee members, secretary sports, director general PSB, and other PTF officials.