KARACHI: Pakistan’s tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has revealed that the government, under the sports policy, owes about Rs 2 million, the amount he is looking forward to utilising in his ongoing charity campaign to those in dire straits due to the spread of Covid_19 in Pakistan.

Interacting with journalists, via video link, the grand-slam finalist further said he doesn’t want to stir a controversy but asking for his rightful share of money.

“Pakistan created history by defeating Korea in the Davis Cup tie in early 2018 and the then minister for Inter-provincial coordination, Riaz Hussain Pirzada had pledged rupees two million cash reward for both me and Aqeel Khan,” recalled Aisam. “However, we only got half the promised money [one million each] and we are waiting for the rest to be paid.”

Aisam said that he had been striving to provide food and other essential goods to those in need and would utilise his reward money for the ongoing charity drive. “After winning three gold medals in the Islamic Games in 2005, the Government rewarded me with Rs 1.7 million in cash which I donated to the relief fund,” said Aisam.

“This time around too me and Aqeel Khan are ready to utilise this pending amount for our relief activities,” he added

Aisam said the Pakistan Sports Board also owes him about Rs five lacs for the recent show by the tennis pair in the SAF event.

“I believe it’s a very genuine demand to release the purse at the earliest,” Aisam asserted.

Aisam also paid rich tributes to his fellow player Aqeel and urged the government to duly value and honour the great services rendered by the country’s top player.

Aisam added that the Pakistan Cricket Board too should have invited Aqeel Khan during their campaign in the recent Pakistan Super League.

“Aqeel’s achievements are unbelievable but he is often neglected which is sad to see. The PCB should have invited him in their campaign during the Pakistan Super League,” said Aisam.

He urged the provincial government of Sindh to allot a piece of land to Aqeel to establish an academy in Karachi Aisam also expressed the desire to build a tennis academy in Lahore and added that he is looking up to the Punjab government to respond to his formal plea.

The 40-year old champion player said that he wanted to team up with India’s Sania Mirza for mixed doubles but it could turn into a controversy.

Aisam, however, asserted that his best phase had been with Rohan Boppana and they cliched memorable victories together.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2020