ISLAMABAD: The coaching camp organised for budding players with the cooperation of the Asian tennis Federation (ATF) concluded here at the Pakistan Ordn­ance Factory (POF) Wah courts on Sunday.

Axe Mansaman of Thai­land, the ATF qualified coach, imparted training and modern techniques of the game to some 22 junior Paki­stan players at the camp that lasted 14 days, according to a press release issued here.

The POF had arranged local hospitality for the coach and the players.

POF chairman Lt Gen Umar Hayat was the chief gu­est at the closing ceremony while Pakistan Tennis Fede­ra­tion (PTF) president Salim Saifullah Khan attended the ceremony as the guest of honour.

PTF secretary Mohammad Khalid Rehmani, president of the POF Sports Board Moham­­mad Afzal, secretary POF Sports Board Shaharyar Ahmed and Col Inamullah Khan, PTF senior vice-president and camp commandant, were also present at the closing ceremony.

Appreciating the hospitality he received and impressed with the techniques of juniors at the camp particularly Muzammil Murtaza, Aman Atiq, Ibrahim Iltifat and Barkatullah Khan, Mansa­man said these youngsters possessed immense talent and would be an asset for Pakistan tennis in the years to some.

Insisting that maintaining physical fitness was vital and, the Thai coach emphasised that if this aspect was given due importance by these young players they could come at par with other Asian players.

Lt Gen Umar Hayat, meanwhile, promised to continue supporting tennis as the POF had been doing in the past.

Speaking on the occasion, Salim Saifullah said the camp was part of their long-tern goal of keeping talented juniors engaged in various tennis activities in order to help them enhance their skills for 2017 international assignments.

In 2015, Salim Saifullah added, the PTF would hold at least 25 national tournaments and a good number of coaching camps.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

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