Punjab Tennis C’ship rolls into action today

LAHORE: The Servis Punjab Tennis Championship will roll into action from today at the Bagh-i-Jinnah Tennis Courts, organizers announced on Wednesday.
The tournament is being jointly organized by the Punjab Lawn Tennis Association and Service Sales Corporation.
Addressing a press conference here at Lahore Press Club on Wednesday, former Davis Cupper and Pakistan’s non-playing captain Rashid Malik said that though it was a Punjab level competition but all the top junior players of the country will feature in the weak-long activity. He said that Pakistan tennis star Aisamul Haq Qureshi will be the guest of honour on the final day on December 14.
GM Marketing SSC Naimul Abd , Hassaan Khalid, Mazhar Salam and PLTA secretary Mohammad Bukhsh were also present on the occasion.
Tournament Director Rashid Malik stated that competitions will be held in six categories which include under-12, under-14, under 18, men’s, ladies and doubles and Rs 100,000 will be offered in prize money.
He said that top ladies players Sara Mahboob and Ushna Suhail will make the competition more interesting.
Speaking on the occasion, the PLTA secretary said that their main emphasis would be on junior players and for the purpose they would be holding one tournament in every month from next year.
On the sponsor’s part, Naim said that his company and the PLTA were working to organize the championship for the last one month and it will be a regular annual feature. He said:
“Since Aisam opened up new horizons, fresh players have started to emerge and we are providing them an opportunity to excel.”
He said that the corporate sector has great role in sports promotion.
Rashid Malik also said that prizes will also be given to the semi-finalists. He also said if the Pakistan Tennis Federation asked, he would be available for the Davis Cup team for the next tie against Hong Kong.