Birbal said he was glad to train Pakistan’s youngsters, adding he had told his family that "if he dies in Pakistan he will die for the game." -File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Shrugging off much talked of security concerns expressed by many about Pakistan, the PTF-hired Indian coach Birbal Vadhera on Thursday said he had come here for the love and promotion of the sport.

Briefing a group of reporters here at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Complex, Birbal said he was glad to train Pakistan’s youngsters, adding he had told his family that “if he dies in Pakistan he will die for the game.

“Several supporters and friends of mine in India advised me to refrain from travelling to Pakistan because of the ongoing [security] situation here but I have come here for the love and promotion of the sport,” the coach added, revealing that several players had sent him messages on social Internet sites, urging him not to travel to Pakistan.

Birbal said that he was here to train young and emerging Pakistan players besides extending professional training to four coaches.

“I will be training players of U-14, U-16 and U-19 age groups and also coaches which will definitely be a great help to the PTF,” stated Birbal.

Irshad Bhatti, spokesman for the PTF, said: “Birbal might travel to Lahore for ten days to train the youngsters there.”

He informed that it was for the first time that the PTF had hired a foreign coach for training youngsters, terming the move economically beneficial for the federation.

“The expenses of Birbal will now borne by a foreign sports channel,” Irshad informed.