|
|
|
| May 24, 2005 | Tuesday | Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1426 |
ATP to support PTF
ISLAMABAD, May 23: Munir Pirzada, the president of the newly formed Association of Tennis Players (ATP), said on Monday that his association had no intention of confronting the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF). “We will support the PTF in whatever way we can but if we see them taking wrong decisions, particularly in the context to the Davis Cup, we will certainly make our presence felt.”
Pirzada, a former secretary of the PTF, was critical of some of the federation’s recent decisions.
“Sending a team to Manila for the Junior Davis Cup without holding any training camp does not make sense.”
The Pakistan team finished 13th among 16 teams in the tournament scoring only two victories over UAE and Singapore. “Besides, there was no coach with the team,” he pointed out.
Himself a former Davis Cup player and national champion, Pirzada felt that his association will also be aiming to raise a team to provide back-up to the Cup squad. “At the moment I see no back-up.”
He said that players competing in national tournaments needed to be looked after well by the organisers and their prize money should be enhanced. “It is a pity that the financial incentives the players used to get in the eighties are more or less the same today.”
The ATP plans to raise money by publishing brochures and producing other material which Pirzada said, would be spent on the welfare of the players.
The association which was formed last week has former Davis Cup player, Saeed Mir, as its secretary. Other office-bearers are Raja Asif, finance secretary, and Hameedul Haq, media secretary.
|
|
|
|
