ISLAMABAD: The Inter­national Tennis Federation (ITF), while ignoring the recommendations of Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), has turned down the request of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) for holding a Davis Cup tie against China in Lahore.

However, hopes for the tie are still alive as the federal government has decided to request China to send its team to Pakistan.

“We will take up this matter with the Chinese government,” said Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana at the PTF Complex here on Saturday.

The ITF through an official letter addressed to the PTF president dated Dec 10, 2015 while citing security concerns denied Pakistan’s right of holding the home tie against China.

The PTF was to hold the tie in Lahore from March 4 to 6, 2016.

Speaking to the media after watching the final of the Serena Hotels Championship as chief guest, the governor said Pakistan and China were time-tested friends and the government of Pakistan along with the Punjab government would request the Chinese government to send its team to Pakistan.

He added there were lots of activities going on in the country under China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

“A large number of Chinese people are already working here. There is no security issue so we will take up this matter with our friend China, seeking its help for revival of international tennis,” he said.

PTF president Salim Saifullah Khan urged the federal government to request China for sending their team to Pakistan.

“The upcoming home Davis Cup tie is very important for Pakistan because it is linked with other future sport activities which are currently not being played on home soil,” he said and requested China to help Pakistan at this critical stage.

“If China shows willingness to play in Pakistan, then the ITF can’t raise an objection,” he said and added that successful hosting of the event would open doors to other international sports competitions in Pakistan.

Tennis aces Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan also requested the ITF to review its decision.

“Per my opinion, it’s a wrong decision,” Aisam told journalists and added that security situation in Pakistan had improved to significant level.

He further said: “A large number of Chinese people are visiting and stationed in Pakistan. There is no security issue for them so I don’t think there should be any problem for the Chinese tennis team.”

Speaking on the occasion, Aqeel said Pakistan will have to host their home tie in Bangladesh because of their grass courts if China refused to visit Pakistan.

“We are good on grass courts as compared to China,” he added.

In the official letter, Justine Albert, the head of Davis Cup & Fed Cup, told the PTF president that Pakistan could not be allowed to hold the said tie in Lahore due to security concerns.

He requested Pakistan to nominate a neutral ground for the purpose.

“While acknowledging that Pakistan is benefiting from the recent counter terrorism initiatives, the Davis Cup committee concluded that given the continued high security risk in Lahore and that the first priority of the ITF is safety of athletes and officials, that as per Davis Cup regulation 27(e), Pakistan will lose choice of ground for this tie,” the letter said.

It may be relevant here that the Asian Tennis Federation supported Pakistan’s plea of holding the Davis Cup tie in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2015