I have lived close to the Model Town Club since my childhood. I started playing tennis there in my school days and continued to play until I turned a senior citizen. My medical practice as a foreign qualified cardiac physician and my tennis swings in the evening continued side by side. Alas, that club has now been shut down. Its majestic building of pre-partition era, surrounded by tall leafy trees, stands desolately waiting for tennis and squash players to come and hit around. Incidentally, national tennis player, Aisamul Haq, started his tennis career in this club. Another promising player Abid, once a ball-boy in the club, whom my friends and I encouraged and supported financially and who reached the national level in tennis and represented the country in Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Australia, also practiced in this club.
The story goes that some people gambled in the club; therefore, it was closed down. Instead of ridding the pond of dirty fish, the pond has been put away to dry. What nonsense! Will the vibrant chief minister Punjab put Model Town Society’s big on the mat? Why healthy sports, such as tennis and squash, have been denied to young and old alike? Shame on those who took the reprehensible action.
DR MUBASHER HUSSAIN
Lahore
