Results expose the performance and management of the Pakistan Tennis Federation
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan tennis team produced miserable results in the Asian Games 2023, which are going on in Hangzhou, China, as Pakistani tennis lovers were expecting a medal from top national male players Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan.
The journey of Pakistan Tennis started three days back in China with Aqeel Khan receiving a love set and ended with Sara Khan & Aqeel Khan receiving two ducks from India. Pakistani tennis players failed to impress in the ongoing Asian Games 2023. Pakistan was wiped out of all 5 events i.e. men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles within 3 days.
On the opening day, Aqeel Khan lost to the Uzbek player Khumoyun Sultanov in a straight set with the score-line of 6-0, and 6-1. The next day Ushna Suhail lost to Chinese Lin Zhu 6-0, 6-0 and Sarah Khan lost to Philippines Alex Eala 6-0, 6-0.
In men’s tennis doubles, Pakistan’s duo of Aisam-ul-Haq and Aqeel Khan lost to Chinese Taipei’s Yu-Hsiou and Jason Jung 7-6 (3), 6-4 after a two-set battle that lasted for almost two hours.
In women’s doubles, Pakistan’s duo of Ushna Suhail and Sarah Ibrahim lost in straight sets without winning a single game to Indonesia’s Beatrice Gumulya and Jessy Priskila Rompies. The Indonesians emerged victorious 6-0, 6-0 after a 44-minute battle.
Meanwhile, in mixed doubles, Pakistani pair of Aqeel and Sarah lost to India’s Yuki Bhambri and Ankita Ravinderkrishan Raina 6-0, 6-0 in straight sets without winning a game. In the other mixed doubles, the Pakistani pair of Aisam and Ushna lost to Thailand's Peangtarn and Pruchya 6-4, 6-1.
It is intensely worrisome that the Pakistani squad couldn't progress beyond 2nd rounds and received a total of 9 love sets (6-0) in their respective matches. These results show the performance and management of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), which is being run by 77-year-old president Salim Saifullah Khan and 73-year-old Gul Rehman, a retired army man.
Former Davis Cupper Hameed-ul-Haq said:
“It is beyond his comprehension, why the PTF management opted to send veterans to compete in the Asian Games 2023 instead of many talented youngsters like Mohammad Shoaib and Amna Qayum. So I suggested countless proposals and plans for the promotion of the game in the country that went unheard that the future of Pakistan tennis was ruined but the non-technical individuals were running the tennis federation like a corporate business venture. They are always more bothered with now and today instead of what is yet to come in the future. No talent could rise up in the last decade due to their failed policies and mismanagement. All I can say for now, a miracle needs to rejuvenate Pakistan tennis.”
Hameed-ul-Haq is leaving tonight for Thailand to participate in the ITF Seniors Championship.
