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KARACHI Pakistan's tennis authorities are confident that international tennis would return to the country after an International Tennis Federation (ITF) security visit.
Pakistan Tennis Federation President Dilawar Abbas told Reuters on Tuesday that security consultant Ian Todd had visited Pakistan on behalf of the ITF to assess security arrangements at venues.
“We have asked the ITF to allot international events including Davis Cup ties to Pakistan once again as we are capable of hosting them without any problems,” Abbas said.
The ITF moved Pakistan's 'home' Davis Cup Asia-Oceania group matches against Oman, Philippines, Hong Kong and New Zealand because of security concerns.
“We have suffered because we lost our home advantage in these Davis Cup ties,” Abbas said.
The ITF confirmed that the security assessment had taken place and that it was expecting a full report.
“We are hopeful something positive will happen soon as this is necessary for the promotion of the sport in Pakistan,” Abbas said.
The Pakistan cricket team are playing all their home matches at neutral venues for an indefinite period after armed gunmen attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year.
Tennis has become a front line sport in Pakistan recently following the success of Aisam-ul-Haq who has teamed up with Indian Rohan Bopanna to win double events on the ATP tour.
Aisam also became the first Pakistani to reach the final of a grand slam tournament, a feat he achieved at this year's US Open in the men's doubles and mixed doubles. —Reuters
