December 30, 2002	Monday	Shawwal 25, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Aqeel Khan continued his domination of domestic competitions by picking up his eighth successive singles title Sunday defeating Nomi Qamar in the final of the 4th Sirajul Haq Memorial Tennis Championship.

Top seeded Aqeel was just too good for his rival, the No 2 seed and outplayed him 6-3, 6-3 on the clay courts of the PTF Tennis Complex. The victory, worth Rs 8000 for Aqeel meant that he remained unbeaten in all singles matches he has played this year.

Aqeel, the star of Davis Cup win over China last September that earned Pakistan promotion to Group I, was clearly the better player and barely faced problems in laying his hands on the glittering trophy. The silverware was presented to him by the chairman of the SAF Games Organising Committee, Lt. Gen Syed Arif Hasan.

The general also announced a donation of Rs 500,000 for the development of the PTF Complex, promising more money in phases.

Meanwhile former Davis Cup star, Mushaf Zia was adjudged Coach of the Year by the tournament’s organising committee, a befitting honour for the man rendering immense service for the development of tennis at all levels.

Also honoured was another former Davis Cup player, Amman A. Chaudhry, founder of Islamabad’s first tennis academy in the premises of the Pakistan Sports Complex. Amman gave up a lucrative coaching career in Canada to set up the academy in order to contribute towards promotion of the sport here.

RESULTS: Men’s singles final: Aqeel Khan bt Nomi Qamar 6-3, 6-3

Girls singles under-14 final: Zehra Ali Khan bt Sara Mahboob 4-1, 4-0.