March 22, 2002	Friday	Muharram 7, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

ISLAMABAD, March 21: Pakistan’s gloomy tennis scenario grew even gloomier Thursday when top-ranked player Asim Shafik quit the Davis Cup camp in Lahore following a tiff with the management.

Asim, who underwent surgery on his right knee last November, strained his left thigh and asked for a few days off, which reportedly upset coach Rashid Malik and camp commandant Bashir Gill.

“He was not given permission to leave the camp but chose to walk out,” Rashid told Dawn from Lahore. Asim, the national grass court champion was not immediately available for comment, although it is understood that he intends to call on the president of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Anwar Saifullah Khan to apprise him of the events.

Asim had played a key role in helping Pakistan win the Davis Cup Group II tie against Malaysia last month.

Rashid said that a report on the incident, duly signed by Bashir Gill and all the players attending the camp has been prepared and is to be sent to the PTF president.

“We cannot afford to send Asim back because he is a good player,” Rashid said while pointing out that the upcoming Asia Oceania Group II Davis Cup tie against Taiwan was a tough one. “We have lost to them (Taiwan) twice previously and therefore we have to take them on with all seriousness.”