Pakistan to Revive National Women's Tennis after 12 Years
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

KARACHI: The second edition of National Women's Tennis Championship will be held at Islamabad from February 15 to 18, Shahida Farooq, Executive Committee Member and Lady representative of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) said Saturday.

She said women's national is being revived after lapse of 12 years and it was last held here in Karachi in 1995, she told newsmen at a local hotel.

"My mission is to lift the overall standard of women tennis and expend it scope and attract more players towards the game," she maintained.

"It will be the richest-ever competition among the ladies players and we are close to striking a rupees half a million sponsorship deal," Shahida Farooq said.

Championship would carry Rs.200,000 in prize money and we would provide Rs 1000 as daily allowance to all out-stationed participants. "If we would be able to raise more money, we would also provide air passage to the players," she said.

PTF representative said Pakistan got few good players like Nida Wasim Sehar Khawja and if proper hard work is done, standard of women tennis can be improved. She recalled that Nida Wasim few years back beat Sania Mirza when he she was emerging on scene on International Tennis Federation Junior circuit.

Ms Shahida, who is also Vice President of Sindh Tennis Association said efforts would be made to have atleast 32 players in the draw.

She said she has requested PTF President Dilawar Abbas to establish any academies in various provincial capitals.

She informed that her organization Subh-e-Nau will be conducting the championship which has approval of PTF said.

Subh-e-Nau she said had supported players like Aqeel Khan and Nomi Qamar at the start of career by adopting them under organization's umbrella and provided them financial assistance and other support in promoting their skill and talent.

She said they would also be holding National Hard Tennis Championship in coming months for which dates will be finalized in due course of time.●