Sania Mirza's help could be utilised in organising an Indo-Pakistan women's tennis series before the "border match". -Photo by Reuters

KARACHI: Top tennis organizer Shahida Kausar Farooq called on the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) to push for a showpiece Indo-Pak women’s tennis series that could be jointly hosted by the two countries.

Farooq suggested the idea as a proposed “border match” between Pakistan’s tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and his doubles partner Rohann Bopanna of India gathered steam.

In a letter to PTF president Syed Kaleem Imam, Farooq proposed that the women’s event could act as a curtain-raiser for the “border match” thus making the show a more memorable experience for both countries. She was also of the opinion that Sania Mirza's services could be utilised to make the event happen.

“The event would not only help promote dialogue between the countries but also enhance the image of women’s tennis in Pakistan which has experience promising growth. Unfortunately, the rest of the world is ignorant of the fact that women in Pakistan also play tennis and our society is accepting of the fact,” she said.

On the home front, Farooq welcomed PTF’s announcement to disband non-functional tennis units across the country, adding that step would push all parties involved to play a more active role for the betterment of the game in the country.