LAHORE: Former Pakistan seasoned Davis Cupper and non-playing captain Rashid Malik has slammed the performance of Pakistan in the back-to-back international events of Davis Cup and Asian Games and held those unprofessional responsible who are running the affairs of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF).

“I would like to make an appeal to the government and all other authorities concerned to immediately intervene in the affairs of the PTF to get rid of the unprofessional people who are playing with the future of many talented players by taking unprofessional decisions,” Rashid told Dawn in an exclusive talk.

“The PTF is earning money by participating in the Davis Cup ties against different countries but even the high-ups are not ready to spend the money on preparations of the team for such big events by hiring the services of right people. Like me, every citizen has the right to ask the PTF where the amount the federation is earning through Davis Cup ties is going,” he asked.

“Perhaps no one will believe but it is a fact that even the trials to select the team against Thailand for the last Davis Cup were also held in Thailand,” he said.

“In my 40 years long association with the game of tennis in which I had represented the country in various Davis Cup and Asian Games, I did not see the trials were held in other country to pick up the national team for any big event. But this has happened when the team was selected in Bangkok for the Davis Cup tie,” Rashid remarked.

Pakistan had missed a chance to qualify for the final round of the Davis Cup tie after losing to Thailand 4-1 and now in the ongoing Asian Games no Pakistani men and women could grab victory in South Korea.

“If there will be no proper training camp and trials, we should expect such kind of dismal results from our players,” Rashid further said.

It may be mentioned here that Yasir Khan and Mohammad Abid along with Aqeel Khan went to Thailand where trial matches were held between them with Aisam-ul-Haq and Samir Iftikhar directly reaching Thailand from the US to feature in the event.

“Had Pakistan placed a strong team after making serious preparations, it could have qualified for the final round after beating Thailand, but the PTF neither met the right selection criteria nor made right preparation plan,” Rashid commented.

“I will not blame the players for this bad show but those are responsible who are running the affairs in unprofessional ways,” Rashid said.

“Only professionals can save future of the game and if we need to bring laurels to the country five years are required, provided we start working seriously, right now,” maintained the former Davis Cupper.

He further pointed out the PTF had taken a risky decision and even put the future of seasoned player Aqeel Khan in danger by taking him to Thailand after administering him injection due to his shoulder injury.

“It could have been disaster both for Aqeel and Pakistan if his injury could resurface during the Davis Cup tie,” he said, adding that only educated and professional people could bring improvement in the game of tennis.

“I hope better people will come as the next elections of the PTF are due in October,” he expressed hope.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2014