ISLAMABAD: In a first, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is all set to rope in a Turkish trainer to improve physical capabilities of the country’s tennis players, PTF President Salim Saifullah Khan said on Wednesday.

Addressing the media here at the PTF Complex, he said the decision to hire Celikel Farauk had been taken to enable the players to cope with high-paced tennis.

“Farauk has been training tennis players in Turkey for the last 14 years. He himself has expressed the desire to train our players. We are in talks with him. Hopefully, he will join us in January for a two-year term,” Saifullah said.

He said along with coaching, the physical aspect of a tennis training programme was also important.

“This is why we have also decided to hire a trainer, who will train our players on the most modern lines,” he said.

The PTF president said due to renewed efforts of PTF, international events, including Pakistan’s Davis Cup matches and ITF junior level ranking tournaments were taking place in Pakistan now. “Holding of international events will strengthen the tennis base in the country,” added Saifullah.

The PTF chief revealed that Nigerian tennis officials had approached the federation for training their players in Pakistan and that he has welcomed them.

“We’ve welcomed their players here and will offer them all-out support,” said Saifullah.

Saifullah underlined the need for the establishment of a sports university at the Islamabad Sports Complex. “Sports is a very technical field. We need to set up a sports university to understand the science of sports. I request the government to work on that on immediate basis. We will cooperate fully for that purpose,” he said.

Saifullah said PTF’s election will be held on November 24 and that he will vie for the presidential slot of the federation again.

“If elected again I will continue working for the development of tennis in Pakistan,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2018