Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) on Thursday forwarded a letter to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, requesting him to name a road after tennis hero – Aisam-ul-Haq.

Irshad Bhatti, acting president of the PTF, told Dawn that he has written a letter on the direction of president of the federation Syed Kaleem Imam, currently on a visit to the US.

The official said a road connecting the PTF complex to the main Club Road of the city was suggested to the prime minister that would be named after him [Aisam].

“Aisam is our hero and the request [to the prime minister] was sent on merit,” maintained Bhatti, adding that the central court at the PTF complex would also be named after Aisam.

Talking about the first Aisam-ul-Haq Trophy, he said it would begin on July 18 at the PTF complex with both male and female players competing in the five-day event.

“We have started receiving entries. Players of U-14 and U-18 age groups will also be part of the tournament,” stated Bhatti, adding 16 players would feature in the championship.

About the prize money of the event, he said: “[In the males category] we will be giving Rs110,000 to the winner, Rs 55,000 to the runner-up besides giving Rs25,000 to each semi-finalist.

“The winner of the females competition would receive Rs55,000 while the runner-up will pocket Rs30,000.”

He informed that several regional countries were approached to submit entries for the Aisam-ul-Haq Trophy but didn’t receive favourable response. Only Bangladesh agreed to send two players for the event, Bhatti said.