ISLAMABAD, July 12: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has received an award from the game’s continental body in recognition of the “exceptional efforts and outstanding performance” of its players in different regional and international competitions last year.

The president of the PTF, Syed Dilawar Abbas disclosed on Saturday at a news conference and vowed to continue with the same commitment.

“Despite our depleted resources we kept sending teams abroad regularly while organising ITF tournaments for under-14 and under-16 players,” Dilawar said.

Pakistan under Dilawar earned promotion to Group I of the Davis Cup last year while Shahzad Khan won an ITF Junior Tournament in Islamabad and then pairing with Wasif Cheema also captured the doubles crown. The same year former Davis Cup player Hameedul Haq claimed the Asian Veterans’ Championship in Bangkok.

Dilawar recalled that when he took over in April 2002, the PTF did not have much money but now it had been able to build up its resources.

He said that the PTF planned to pick two players from the on- going camp for under-14 and under-16 players in Islamabad while another two under-18 boys would be chosen through trials.

The four selected players would then be put into camp training in Lahore between Aug 15 to Sept 15 with the senior players in preparation for the Sept 19-21 Davis Cup tie against Korea.

Seven players including Wasif Cheema and Babar Ali Khan will compete in the under-18 trials.

While promising to “leave no stone unturned” in preparation for the tie, he said that with Aisamul Haq available he was quite hopeful that Pakistan would do well.

He said that Shahzeb Niazi and Ahmed Wala, both of whom were in the United States had indicated they would like to attend the Davis Cup camp.

The PTF meanwhile is to organise two ITF Junior tournaments between Sept 27 and Oct 12 which will also have girls events. An All-Pakistan Ranking Junior event is also planned for this month.