ISLAMABAD: Subh-e-Nau (SN) chairperson Shahida Farooq on Monday demanded what she believes “deserving” membership of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) since her organisation has been regularly organising tennis tournaments.

“We organise several tournaments each year yet we don’t have PTF membership,” Shahida told Dawn on Monday, adding that SN intends to hold three mega events this year.

“We are disappointed over the national championship, which was slated to be held in Islamabad from May 12, being cancelled due to issues with the venues,” she added before informing that it will now be held in September.

“Serena Hotels were our main sponsors and they were interested in holding the event at the Islamabad Club but we were unable to arrange it there.”

Shahid expressed that if SN were to be given full membership of the PTF, her organisation would be in a better position to serve the game. “We’re planning to apply for PTF membership,” she said.

According to the PTF constitution, all its affiliated units are supposed to hold a national event each year. And whilst majority of the departments haven’t done that, Shahida says SN has organised international, national and local tennis events for over 25 years now.

“However, unfortunately the previous management of PTF cancelled our membership over a misunderstanding,” she said.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2015

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