November 14, 2007	Wednesday	Ziqa’ad 03, 1428

KARACHI, Nov 13: Five foreigners including three who are residing in the city have confirmed their participation in the Pakistan International Seniors Tennis Championship which runs at the Karachi Club from Nov 19 to 24.

They include two Indians Ujwal Desai, Wishwanath Dehree, Sri Lankan Ayendra, Hungarian Laszli Tibold and a Dutch Remko Argelo. Former Davis Cupper Altaf Hussain spearheads the home challenge which among others include Rafi Darbari, Shabbir Gul (Hyderabad), Akbar Hayat Khan, Zahid Hussain, Reza Ali Mirza, Rizwan Shamsi and Azharuddin.

The details of the event were unfolded by the organisers in a media briefing held at the Karachi Club, the venue for the event, on Tuesday.

The events that will take place during the week-long activity are men’s 35-plus singles and doubles, men’s 45-plus singles and doubles, men’s 55-plus singles and doubles, ladies 35-plus singles and doubles and mixed doubles.

Last date for submission of entries is Saturday while qualifying rounds if needed, will be played the following day.

Former Davis Cuppers from Lahore and Islamabad are the glaring omissions despite offer of return air tickets and a daily allowance of Rs500 until elimination.

Underlining the importance of Seniors event, Khawaja Saeed Hai who heads the organising committee said Pakistan was among three Asian nations which organises this annually the other two being India and Thailand.

Speaking on the occasion, the President of the Karachi Club, Asghar Valika, threw light on KC’s contribution in the field of sports.

He said KC’s continuous support can be gauged from the fact that Seniors event will be the fourth tennis competition being held at the KC this year. Earlier, the KC had played host to two ITF juniors and National Seniors championship.

Tournament director Khalid Rehmani and Sports Convenor, KC, Hanif Memon, also spoke on the occasion.