April 26, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1429

KARACHI, April 25: Prominent women players of the country will make their mark when the 3rd National Ladies Tennis Championship carrying a lucrative purse gets into action at the Islamabad Club courts from May 1.

The four-day event, an annual feature, is being held under the aegis of an NGO Subh-e-Nau, its chairperson, Shahida Kauser Farooq, announced on Friday.

The events which are due to take place includes ladies singles, ladies doubles, juniors U-17 and seniors doubles 40 plus.

Pakistan No 1 Nida Waseem who won the ladies singles crown last year will not defend her title as she is away from the country.

Former national player Mahvish Chishtie has been named tournament director while Shahzad Akhtar Alvi will be tournament referee.

The draws will be taken out on April 30 at 6.00pm at the venue.

Shahida, who has a passion for tennis, also plans to organise National Hard Court tennis championship at the renovated courts of CDGK sports complex here sometime next month.

Referring to the improvement of technical side particularly in Sindh, she said a basic course for umpires will be conducted soon in Karachi and the successful officials would be sent to neighboring India to better their skills.