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LAHORE: Lebanon has set aside security fears by expressing readiness to visit the country to play Davis Cup tie against Pakistan.
An official of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) said that the International Tennis Federation (ITF) confirmed at its annual general council meeting held in Thailand that Pakistan would play as host in its next tie against Lebanon.
He added that the federation through some sources in the ITF got information that Lebanon is ready to visit Pakistan.
“Hopefully we will organise the tie on grass courts in Lahore as per tradition in February and it will be a turning point for us in attracting other countries to play tennis in Pakistan,” the official remarked.
Ironically, no official of the PTF was in Thailand to attend the meeting.
“The PTF president was to attend the meeting, but he skipped it because of other commitments,” he added.
“However, he made his contribution though teleconferencing and got this event,” he added.
“Pakistan had played a Davis Cup tie in Lebanon at a time when the security situation was not exemplary there and considering that gesture of Pakistan they are ready to play in Pakistan, too,” the official further said.
He said Aisam and Aqeel Khan were confirmed to play the tie but trials would be conducted to pick other two or three players.
Moreover, top tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi with another leading tennis player Aqeel Khan is likely to represent the country in the 2012 Olympics Games’ doubles.
