ISLAMABAD, April 23: The president of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) was fuming on Saturday over lack of support and encouragement to his players from the powers that be. Syed Dilawar Abbas took a swipe at the sports ministers, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the sports board for not even bothering to acknowledge the efforts of the tennis team that won the only medals for the country at the Islamic Games in Saudi Arabia.

“I think it is a big decline in our sports that it only had to be tennis that saved Pakistan blushes,” Dilawar remarked. “Had it not been for these medals, we would have finished 52 out of 54 nations.”

Pakistan took 11th place on the final medals table, thanks to the fine efforts of Aisamul Haq and Aqeel Khan who landed three gold and a bronze medal.

Dilawar said it was a pity that while tennis despite being the only bright spark in an otherwise dismal Pakistan campaign was being ignored, the cricket team was being honoured by all quarters.

“Our federation and the players deserve encouragement and it should come from the top.”

Urging the government that sports other than cricket should also be patronised, he asked how humiliating it would have been for the nation if no medals had been won at the Games.

Apart from tennis, Pakistan competed in volleyball, football, athletics, taekwondo, karate, table tennis, basketball, swimming and handball.

“Contesting so many disciplines and returning empty-handed goes to show where we stand; I wonder what the POA and the PSB are doing.”

He pointed out that it was unfortunate that each time his players did well, the PTF had to blow its own horn in order to make the government take notice. “The ministers should inform the President and Prime Minister about our achievements. They are the ones who are their eyes and ears.”

Continuing his assault, he said that the POA chief had not even bothered to greet the players on their remarkable achievement.