April 29, 2007	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 11, 1428

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

LAHORE, April 28: Total prizemoney worth Rs 600,000 will be awarded to the top position holders of all the seven events at the Pakistan Open for Nazim Cup, which commences at Royal Palm Club from today.

Addressing a crowded press conference at Royal Palm Club, tournament director Rashid Malik, flanked by Lahore Nazim Aamir Mahmood and president Punjab Lawn Tennis Association Rao Iftikhar Ahmed, said the winner of men's singles would get approximately Rs 50,000.

Rashid, a former national champion and a Davis Cupper said that besides men's singles, the other events were ladies' singles, boys and girls U-14, U-17, U-19, seniors and veterans.

"Around 200 players for all the seven events have been registered and I believe the tournament will provide the participants a good opportunity to enjoy their play under lights at the newly laid synthetic turf of the Royal Palm Club," he said.

He disclosed that the three Indians had confirmed their participation but were struggling to get flight reservation. “Hopefully, the players from the neighbouring country would reach in couple of days,” Rashid said. He said the qualifying round would be held on Sunday and the main draw from Monday.

To a question, Rashid admitted that tennis was on decline in the country and the recent defeat at the hands of Oceania Pacific, which relegated Pakistan to Group-III for the first time, was shocking.

He said if Aisam-ul-Haq had played against the Pacific, Pakistan could have avoided the relegation. "I don't know why Aisam didn’t play but is a matter between him and the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF)," he said.

When the same question was put to PLTA president Rao Iftikhar, he denied that Aisam had pulled out because he was not paid good match fee. "Aisam was paid handsomely for representing the country in Davis Cup," he said.