August 21, 2002	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Saani 11,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: US-based Pakistani player Hassan Akmal, whom the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) had invited to appear in the Davis Cup trials next month has sent in his regrets.

Maj (Retd) Rashid Khan, secretary of the PTF, speaking to Dawn Tuesday said that Akmal had e-mailed them saying he would not be available for the Asia Oceania Group II final against China.

The Sept 20-22 tie is to be played in Peshawar.

“He has informed us that it would not be possible for him to come to Pakistan before December because of some personal problems,” Rashid said.

However the PTF has yet to hear from another player Ramiz Junaid, who is also in the US and had been asked to come down to Pakistan for the tie.

Both players were to be paid the air fare if they had made the trip, Rashid said.

The PTF has already invited five players including No. 1 Aqeel Khan, Asim Shafik and Aisamul Haq for a camp to be set up in Peshawar ahead of the tie.

Ahmad Wala and Nomi Qamar complete the line-up with former Davis Cup player Rashid Malik the non- playing captain.

The tennis managers have also asked juniors Wasif Cheema, Shahzad Khan and a couple of other players to report for the camp in order to give them an opportunity to train with the senior players.

Meanwhile Asim and Aisam have been named on the Pakistan team for the Asian Games in Busan starting from Sept 29.

Rashid Malik will be the playing captain.