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KARACHI: Pakistan’s former international tennis player Khawaja Saeed Hai said that the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009 had nearly destroyed all sporting activities in the country and therefore it was the obligation of thee Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to compensate for it and help out the other sports that have suffered as a result.
“We used to organise many tournaments in the country and many foreign players used to participate in our events. But the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team has brought us to a complete stand still as far as international activity at home is concerned,” Khawaja Saeed Hai told PPI.
He said that the incident was a very unfortunate one and it had a very negative impact on each and every sport of in Pakistan.
“I think they (PCB) should compensate all the sports, which have endured the brunt in the aftermath of the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team,” the 81-year-old, who was a former Pakistan number one and the first Pakistani tennis player to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam through qualifying matches, said.
“We now have to send our team to the opponents’ countries even in our Davis Cup ties. Our opponents get the home-ground advantage even in away games,” he lamented.
He said that PCB should have had measures in place to ensure security for the touring Sri Lankans and that the careless actions of the cricket board had cost the country a great deal.
“Sponsors used to pour money when there was international participation in our tournaments. But now sponsors are no more interested,” he said.
Saeed, who is the president of Pakistan Senior’s Tennis Association (PSTA) and is the vice president of Sindh Tennis Association (STA), further said that funds are very necessary for holding successful events.
“There should be lucrative prize money in order to attract even our national players for participation in our events.”
