PESHAWAR, Sept 20: Expressing his strong belief that terrorism could be defeated through promotion of sports, Pakistan tennis star Aisamul Haq on Tuesday offered to provide free coaching services to the desiring players from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

“It is my mission to spread the message of peace and love through sports,” the tennis star said while speaking on the occasion of his visit to Malik Saad Memorial Sports Trust here.

He noted with concern that terrorism had caused immense human and material losses, especially in Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Haq said that the youths could be kept away from narcotics and other criminal activities by providing them a peaceful environment and involving them in sports activities. He said that majority of the youngsters wanted to play tennis, but they needed financial, technical and infrastructure facilities.

“I will provide technical support to the trust because I want to see tennis flourish in the areas, which are worst hit by militancy,” he said and added that involving the youths in sports would contribute to the overall wellbeing of the society.

Flanked by his father Ihteshamul Haq, he praised the services of Malik Saad Memorial Sports Trust and said that naming the trust after Malik Saad, who laid down his life for the nation, was the most appropriate way to remember the brave soldier. He urged the organizers to carry forward the Saad's mission of making the country peaceful through promotion of sports.

“The sacrifices rendered by police officers like Malik Saad, Safwat Ghayyur and Abid Ali, would long be remembered,” Aisamul Haq said.

Secretary of the trust Amjad Aziz Malik briefed the tennis star on its activities and said that 50 sports academies had been established in the Fata and KP for the youngsters. He said that free kits and other facilities were given in a bid to lure the youth towards healthy activities.

He said that many sports personalities, including Imran Khan and Iqbal Qasim, had visited the trust and had extended their support to it.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tennis Association president Dr Mohammad Tahir said on the occasion that the trust had planned to set up tennis academies in the KP and Fata, which would also help in talent hunt in these areas.