Tennis - National
Khawaja Iftikhar Memorial Tennis Championship to start on December 14
Lahore (SBR): The prestigious Khawaja Iftikhar Memorial National Ranking Tennis Championship 2024 is all set to commence at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy, Nishtar Park Lahore, from December 14 to 21. The event not only celebrates the spirit of competition but also pays a rich tribute to the legendary Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad, a trailblazer of tennis in Pakistan.This championship boasts the participation of top-ranked national players, including Pakistan's tennis icon and Sitara-e-Imtiaz recipient Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, as well as other talented stars like Aqeel Khan, Ushna Suhail, and rising prodigies Muzammil Murtaza, Muhammad Shoaib, Abid Mushtaq, Meheq Khokhar, Sheeza Sajid and many more. With significant prize money on the line, the tournament promises thrilling encounters that will captivate tennis enthusiasts across the country.Speaking about the championship, Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, who is also President of Pakistan Tennis Federation, said: "It is an honor to participate in a tournament that bears the name of my beloved grandfather, Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad, whose contributions to tennis in Pakistan remain unmatched. This tournament is not just a tribute but a celebration of his legacy. I am thrilled to be part of this event and will give my utmost to make it a resounding success. “As the PTF president, I aim to make this an annual event and introduce more such tournaments in the national calendar to ensure continuous activity and development of tennis in Pakistan," he said and added: "I hope these efforts inspire our players to earn greater international accolades and take Pakistan tennis to new heights."National tennis champion Aqeel Khan said, "It is a privilege to honor a legend like Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad through this championship. Such initiatives inspire us to perform at our best and also motivate the younger generation to uphold the legacy of great players."Granddaughter of the late legend, Ushna Suhail, expressed her excitement. "I am thrilled to compete in this remarkable event that pays tribute to my grandfather. This is a proud moment for my family, and I will give my best to win the title."Muzammil Murtaza, one of Pakistan's top players, shared his enthusiasm. "This championship is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our skills. We are grateful for the chance to compete in such a prestigious tournament and will strive to deliver enthralling tennis matches."Mohammad Shoaib, the national No. 1 tennis player, remarked: "It’s a matter of pride to participate in this championship, and I am determined to put up my best performance to honor the legacy of Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad."Women’s tennis stars are equally excited about the event. Meheq Khokhar, Pakistan’s No. 2, remarked: "Participating in this event is a huge honor, and I will give my best to make my mark." Similarly, Sheeza Sajid, ranked No. 3, said: "This tournament is a golden opportunity for players like us to shine on a big stage, and I am thrilled to be a part of it."
Sports legends rally behind Khawaja Iftikhar Memorial Tennis Championship
Lahore (PR): Sports legends and top athletes, including Jahangir Khan, Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Rashid Malik, Aqeel Khan, international stars International tennis stars Sania Mirza, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Grigor Dimitrov, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, have expressed their excitement for the upcoming Khawaja Iftikhar Memorial National Ranking Tennis Championship 2024, scheduled to take place from December 14 to 21 at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy, Nishtar Park Lahore, the event promises to be a landmark celebration of tennis in Pakistan. Legendary squash player Jahangir Khan said: “Late Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad is a towering figure in Pakistan's tennis history. His legacy is reflected in his family’s ongoing contributions to the sport. I wish Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and his family success in making this championship a grand platform for tennis players.”Former cricket captain Shahid Afridi said: “This tournament is a fitting tribute to a sports legend. It will provide a valuable opportunity for our tennis players to showcase their talent on a national stage and compete for significant prize money.”Cricketer Mohammad Hafeez shared his enthusiasm, saying: “I am delighted to see such a prominent event being organized for Pakistani tennis players. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and his family have made a monumental effort to promote the sport. Under Aisam’s dynamic leadership, I am confident Pakistan tennis will flourish further.”Rashid Malik, Senior Vice President of the Punjab Lawn Tennis Association, highlighted the significance of the event. “This tournament is a tribute to a remarkable player, Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad. It will bring together Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and top-ranked players to honour his legacy. I applaud Aisam-ul-Haq for this commendable effort and look forward to its success.”Speaking about the championship, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi reflected on his grandfather’s legacy. “Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad dedicated his life to tennis in both India and Pakistan. My family and I are committed to keeping his legacy alive by organising this event annually to honour his contributions to the sport. I hope top players of the country, including me, will compete in this prestigious championship and try to earn the title and huge prize money.”Prominent figures from various sports, including International tennis stars Sania Mirza, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov, former hockey legend Shahbaz Ahmed Senior and other national and Davis Cup players, also expressed their admiration for Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad and lauded the championship as a vital step towards promoting tennis in Pakistan.
Mohammad Shoaib wins Anwar Khawaja Memorial National Tennis Tournament
Sports Bulletin ReportSIALKOT: The Anwar Khawaja Memorial National Ranking Tennis Tournament was held successfully in Sialkot that concluded on November 2, 2024 with the victory of Mohammad Shoaib, who defeated Muzammil Murtaza in final in straightsets 2-0.This landmark tournament, the first national tennis event ever hosted by Sialkot, featured the highest prize money among similar tournaments and attracted an impressive 210 entries across eight categories: Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Ladies Singles, Ladies Doubles, Boys 18 & Under Singles, Girls 18 & Under Singles, Boys 14 & Under Singles, and Boys 12 & Under Singles.Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), expressed his delight with the event's success, saying, “This is the first tournament of its kind in Sialkot’s history, and we are determined to make it an annual event.” He extended his heartfelt gratitude to Khawar Khawaja, Asma Khawaja, and all the sponsors, whose support made the tournament possible. Asma Khawar Khawaja, the Tournament Director, also shared her joy at the positive feedback from participants. "We made every effort to make this event memorable and historic, and the players' positive feedback confirms its success,” she said. She thanked all participants and added, “Sialkot is renowned for its sports heritage, and we are committed to making this an annual tradition.”Results (Finals):Men’s Singles: Mohammad Shoaib (PAF) beat Muzammil Murtaza (Army) 7-5, 6-3Men’s Doubles: Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi / Muzammil Murtaza beat Barkatullah / Yousaf Khalil 6-2, 6-0Ladies Singles: Ushna Suhail beat Sheeza Sajid 6-2, 6-2Ladies Doubles: Ushna Suhail / Meheq Khokhar beat Soha Ali / Sheeza Sajid 6-1, 6-1Boys’ U18 Singles: Mohammad Talha beat Mohammad Salar Khan 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.Girls’ U18 Singles: Sheeza Sajid beat Soha Ali, 6-2, 6-4Boys’ U14 Singles: Omar Jawad defeated Muzammil Bhand, 6-4, 6-1.
Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open: Muzamil outplays Aqeel 2-1
Lahore (October 24, 2024): The Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open Tennis Championship 2024 saw intense action in the men's singles quarterfinals, where Muzamil Murtaza battled past veteran Aqeel Khan in a gripping three-set match, winning 6-7, 7-5, 6-4. The thrilling encounter kept spectators on edge at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy, Nishtar Park Lahore on Thursday.Murtaza, who had a challenging start after losing the first set in a tiebreak, displayed remarkable resilience to overcome Aqeel Khan's experience and claim the win. The victory marks a significant step for Murtaza as he advances to the semifinals of the prestigious tournament.Joining Murtaza in the semifinals is Mohammad Abid, who comfortably dispatched Abubakar Talha with a straight-sets victory, 6-3, 6-3. Barkat Ullah also secured his place in the next round after Yousaf Khalil retired following a tight first set, ending 6-7. In another three-set thriller, Mohammad Shoaib Khan made a comeback after dropping the first set, defeating Abdullah Adnan 6-7, 6-0, 6-1 to complete the men's singles semifinal lineup.Ladies singles semifinals: Noor Malik triumphed over Sheeza Sajid 6-4, 6-2, while Ushna Sohail cruised past Mehaq Khokhar 6-0, 6-0 to set up an exciting final.Seniors 40+ doubles semifinals: Talha Waheed (Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd) and Sheheryar Salamat secured a 6-2, 6-3 win over Arif Feroze and Tariq Sadiq.Seniors 65+ semifinals: Waqar Nisar and Inam ul Haq beat Saeed Khan and Malik Imtiaz 6-3, 6-1, while Asad Niaz and Kamran Mir edged Brig Ghazanfar and M Babar 6-0, 6-4.Boys U-14 semifinals: Hassan Usmani defeated Ruhab Faisal 1-4, 4-2, 4-1, and Omer Jawas swept Abdur Rehman 4-0, 4-0. (Press Release):
Sheheryar Memorial Tennis Championship: Noor, Ushna move into semifinals
LAHORE (PR): Noor Malik and Ushna Sohail cruised into semifinals of the ongoing Sheheryar Malik Memorial Tennis Championship 2024 after winning their respective matches of the Ladies’ Singles at the Sports Board Tennis Complex, Nishtar Park Lahore. In the ladies' singles quarterfinals, Noor Malik delivered a commanding performance, defeating Rahat ul Ain 6-1, 6-1 to secure her place in the semifinals. Ushna Sohail also cruised through her match with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Soha Ali. Other quarterfinal winners included Mehaq Khokhar, who overcame Khunsa Babar 6-1 before Babar retired, and Sheeza Sajid, who swept Lalarukh 6-2, 6-0.The Seniors 40+ doubles quarterfinals saw Azhar Ali Khan and Hadi dominate Syed Shamas ud Din and Ahsan Wali, winning 6-3, 6-0. In the seniors 55+ semifinals, Kafi Siddiqui and Waheed Ahmad battled to a 3-6, 6-4, 10-7 win over Dr Arif and Zargam Khan, while Nauman Aleem and Waqar Nisar defeated Dr Shehzad and Ch Amir 6-1, 6-1. In the boys U-18 quarterfinals, Hamza Asim secured an easy 6-0, 6-1 win over Mohammad Yahya, while M Salaar fought through a tough three-setter to defeat Yafat Amir Mazari 6-7, 6-1, 6-4. Abubakar Talha, the champion of the last junior tennis event, advanced with a 6-1, 6-4 victory against Asad Zaman. In the boys U-14 quarterfinals, standout performances included Hassan Usmani’s 4-0, 4-1 win over Syed Mahad Shehzad and Ruhab Faisal’s 4-2, 4-2 triumph over Shayan Afridi. Abdur Rehman and Omer Jawad also progressed with comfortable victories. Abdur Rehman defeated M Junaid 4-0, 4-1 and Omer Jawad beat Razik Sultan 4-0, 4-2. Meanwhile, in the boys U-12 pre-quarterfinals, Arsh Imran beat Zayd Zaman 5-3, 4-1, and Majid Ali Bachani fought back to defeat M Faizan 0-4, 4-1, 4-0. Other winners included Shayan Afridi, Mohammad Ali, and Mohammad Junaid. Shayan Afridi beat Omer Zaman 4-0, 4-0, Mohammad Ali beat Fahad Mustafa 4-0, 4-0 and M Junaid beat Aliyan Ali 4-1, 4-2.
Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open: Top seeds advance to next round
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: All top seeding tennis lads claimed victories on the second day of the Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open Tennis Championship 2024 here at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy, Nishtar Park on Tuesday.Results (Day-2):Men’s Singles (pre-quarterfinals):Shoaib Khan beat Amir Mazari 6-1, 6-1Aqeel Khan beat Shehzad Khan 6-4, 6-4Barkat Ullah beat Sami Zeb Khan 7-5, 6-2Abubakar Talhabeat Haider Ali Rizwan 6-2, 6-2Mohammad Abid beat Heera Ashiq 7-6, 6-4Yousaf Khalil beat Huzaima Abdul Rehman 6-1, 7-6Muzamil Murtaza beat Hasheesh Kumar 6-1, 7-6 Ladies' Singles (quarterfinals): Noor Malik beat Laiba Iqbal Khan 6-1, 6-1Ushna Sohail beat Fajar Fayyaz 6-0, 6-0Khunsha Babar beat Momina Imran 6-0, 6-0 Rahat ul Ain beat Mahrukh Sajid 6-2, 6-2Boys’ U18 (pre-quarterfinals):Hamza Asim beat Mohammad Rayyan Khan 6-1, 6-1Mohammad Salaar beat Yafat Nadeem 6-1, 6-2Mohammad Yahya beat Hussnain Ali Rizwan 6-0, 6-0Abdul Basit beat Hassan Usmani 6-4, 7-6Asad Zaman beat Haziq Areejo 6-2, 6-2Boys’ U14 (pre-quarterfinals):Hassan Usmani beat Aalay Hussain 4-0, 4-1Syed Mahad Shehzad beat Ansar Ullah 4-1, 4-2Ruhab Faisal beat Ohad-e-Mustafa 4-1, 4-0Shayan Afridi beat Mohammad Muaz 4-0, 4-1Mohammad Junaid beat Zayd Zaman 2-4, 4-1, 4-0Abdur Rehman beat Waqas Janas 4-2, 5-3Razik Sultan beat Aliyan Ali 4-1, 4-2Omer Jawad beat Mohammad Umer Ali 4-0, 4-0.
Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open Tennis Championship starts
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open Tennis Championship 2024 got underway here at Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy in Nishtar Park on Monday. The ceremony was attended by esteemed guests, including Mian Usman Ali, Additional Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab, and Rashid Malik (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz), Senior Executive Vice President of Punjab Lawn Tennis Association, Waqar Nisar, PLTA Finance Secretary, Nauman Aleem, Asif Riaz, Tournament Referee, and Faheem Siddiqui, Tournament Coordinator. ResultsMen’s Singles (Round-1): Zubair Arif beat Uzair Khan 6-3, 6-3, Abdullah Adnan beat Mohammad Talha Khan 6-2, 6-4, Heera Ashiq beat Jibran ul Haq 6-3, 6-2, Haider Ali Rizwan beat Asad Zaman 7-5, 6-1, Sami Zeb Khan beat Saqib Hayat 7-6, 2-6, 6-2, Huzaima Abdul Rehman beat Ahmad Ch 6-1, 6-1, Muzamil Murtaza beat Mahatir Mohammad 6-1, 6-1 and Hasheesh Kumar won against Salaar 7-5, 6-2. Boys’ U18 (Round-1): Hamza Roman beat Omer Jawad 6-4, 6-4, Haider Ali Rizwan beat Hamza Ali Rizwan 6-3, 6-4, Abdul Basit beat Kashan Tariq 6-4, 6-2, Mohammad Salaar beat Mustansir Ali Khan 6-3, 6-3, Yafat Nadeem beat Shaheer Khan 6-4, 6-4, Nabeel Qayum beat against Atia Ur Rehman 6-1, 6-0, Amir Mazari beat Zain Saeed 6-1, 6-1, Mohammad Yahya beat Ali Zafar 6-1, 6-2, Husnain Ali Rizwan beat beat Abu Bakar Khalil 0-6, 6-0, 6-2, Mohammad Reyam Khan beat Junaid Mehr 6-0, 6-1, Mohammad Hamza Asim beat Inam Qadir 6-2, 6-0, Sheheryar Anees beat Ruhab Faisal 2-6, 7-5, 6-2, Abu Bakar Talha beat Muzamil Bhand 6-0, 6-0, and Asad Zaman beat Mohammad Haziq Asim 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.Boys’ U-14 (Round-1): Mohammad Muaz beat Ali Bachani 4-1, 4-1, Mohammad Junaid beat Mohammad Ayan Khan 4-2, 4-2, Ansar Ullah beat Ansar Ullah 4-1, 4-0, Syed Mahad Shehzad beat Mohammad Huzaima 4-0, 4-1, Waqas Janas beat Mohammad Ali 4-1, 4-1, Omer Jawad beat Mahad Rashid 4-0, 4-0 and Abdur Rehman beat Ahmad Khuda Bakhsh 4-0, 4-0.
Aitchison College Junior Championship: Talha, Bismel win titles
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Abubakar Talha and Bismel Zia clinched the boys and girls U-18 titles at the Aitchison College Junior Tennis Championship 2024 at Aitchison College, Mall Road, Lahore. In the Boys U-18 final, Abu Bakar Talha, student of Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEI) and sponsored player of SA Gardens, clinched the double crowns in the prestigious event as he first won the U-18 singles title and then doubled it by winning the U-18 doubles title. In the boys U-18 singles final, Abubakar overpowered Asad Zaman 6-2, 6-3 to secure the championship title. Abubakar later teamed up with Haider Ali Rizwan in the boys U-18 doubles final, where they dominated Kashan Tariq and Yafat Nadeem with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 title win. On the girls’ side, Bismel Zia, being sponsored by Ali Embroidery Mills and coached and mentored by renowned coach Rashid Malik, delivered a stellar performance in the girls U-18 final, defeating Romaisa Malik 6-2, 6-3. She thanked Ali Embroidery Mills CEO Tariq Zaman for his generous support and also expressed her gratitude to her coach and mentor Rashid Malik for his able guidance and training that helped her excel at the national tennis circuit. Bismel Zia’s attempt at a double victory was thwarted in the girls U-14 final, where Hajra Rana claimed the title with a 4-2, 4-2 win. Hajra then dominated Khadija Khalil 4-1, 4-0 in the girls U-12 final to double her crowns. Other notable results included Hassan Usmani's victory over Umer Jawad, a promising student of Beaconhouse School Defence Campus. In the boys U-14 final, securing a 6-0, 6-2 win. In the boys U-12 final, Rashid Ali Bachani edged past Mohammad Muaz in two closely contested sets, winning the title by 5-4, 5-4. The doubles finals saw Mohammad Muaz and Mohammad Ayan triumph in the boys/girls U-12 category, defeating Rashid Ali Bachani and Mohammad Ibraheem Hussain Gill 4-0, 5-4. In the boys U-16 (Punjab Ranking) final, Abdul Basit won against Amir Mazari 6-2. In the boys/girls U-10 (Punjab Ranking) final, Muhammad Ayan edged out Mohammad Ibraheem Hussain Gill 7-5. Omer Zaman of Aitchison College Lahore was the chief guest for the event, congratulating the young athletes on their performances and encouraging them to continue pursuing their passion for tennis.PLTA Senior Executive Vice President Rashid Malik thanked Aitchison College Principal SM Turab Hussain and management for sponsoring this event and hoped that they will continue to support sports, especially tennis in Pakistan.
Khawar Hyat Memorial: Mohammad Shoaib, Ushna Suhail lift titles
Mohammad Shoaib overcomes Aqeel Khan in Men’s Singles final, Ushna defeats AmnaAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Top national tennis lad Mohammad Shoaib and top national women Ushna Suhail lifted the titles of the Khawar Hyat Khan Memorial National Ranking Tennis Tournament in their respective categories Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles respectively after beating Aqeel Khan and Amna Ali Qayum in finals here at the PTF-SDA Tennis Complex on Friday.In a thrilling Men's Singles final, Mohammad Shoaib of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) beat Aqeel Khan with a score-line of 7-5, and 6-3. In the first set, both players exhibited top class game of tennis and played excellent powerful forehands and backhands with classic drives. However, Mohammad Shoaib won the first game on tie-break while in the second set, Mohammad Shoaib proved too good and finished the match comfortably.Earlier, in the Ladies' Singles final, Ushna Suhail secured victory against Amna Ali Qayum in straights sets 2-0. The final score-line was 6-1, and 6-1. Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, Patron of the PTF graced the closing ceremony as chief guest and distributed the prizes among the players.Also, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of PTF, Col. Zia-ud-din Tufail [R], Secretary-General PTF, Khawaja Suhail, SVP-PTF Col. Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Ex-DDG-PSB, and Azeem Shah, former DG-CDA were present in the ceremony. The event was also attended by a large number of tennis enthusiasts, players, parents, coaches, and media personnel. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi congratulated all the winners and runners-up, encouraging them to work hard towards future success.It ia pertinent to mention here that Khawar Hyat Khan, who served as the Senior Executive Vice President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) from 2015 until his passing on 26th January 2024, under the leadership of Senator Salim Saifullah Khan.
U12 players leave for Kazakhstan to participate in ATF U12 Boys’ Team Final
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan Under-12 Boys’ tennis team has left for Kazakhstan to participate in the ATF U12 Team Competition Final 2024, scheduled to take place in Shymkent from September 16 to 21, 2024. Three players including Mohammad Shayan Afridi, Rashid Ali, and Mohammad Junaid along with non-playing captain-cum-coach Mohammad Abid will represent Pakistan in an international juniors’ tennis fixture.According to an official of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), the team will also attend a three-week training camp, one week before the event and two weeks after, as part of a historic in collaboration between the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) and the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF).This is the second time Pakistan has reached the final stage of this prestigious event. In 2021, Pakistan triumphed over India to win the championship. Syria, and Saudi Arabia from West Asia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from Central Asia, Pakistan and India from South Asia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam from Southeast Asia and China, Chinese Taipei, and Korea from East Asia will participate in the 6-day competitions.As a result of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the PTF and KTF, the Pakistani team will benefit from extensive training in Shymkent. This is the first time Pakistani players will attend a training camp abroad, which is expected to significantly enhance their skills. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the PTF, extended his best wishes to the team, urging them to play with full force and bring home the title. He emphasized the importance of the MOU, stating that such initiatives will give young players opportunities to showcase their talent and improve their skills. He also expressed gratitude to the KTF for hosting the Pakistani team.
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