-File photo

ISLAMABAD: The newly-elected president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, Syed Kaleem Imam, on Friday said that all his efforts were aimed at reviving international matches in Pakistan and making arrangements for world No. 1 Spanish star Rafael Nadal to feature here in exhibition matches. Dawn

Kaleem, who was elected as the president on Nov 26, told : “My focus is to revive international tennis in Pakistan and I have talked to few diplomats and hopeful of a positive reply shortly.”

Foreign players have refused to feature in Pakistan citing security concerns especially after the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.

“I have talked to Spanish ambassador the other day, requesting him to make an arrangement for the federation so that we can invite Nadal. His (Nadal's) presence in Pakistan will be a big boost for the sports in the country,” said Imam, also the head of city's police.

“We can assure Nadal foolproof security as I am heading one of the best police force in the country,” he said, while shrugging off security concerns of the foreign players.

He added that leading tennis players from India like Rohan Bopanna, Sania Mirza and a Russian female tennis star along with Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq would feature in exhibition matches, meant for generating funds for the flood-affected people of Pakistan.

Kaleem said they were also working on a four-year plan.

“Our focus will be on sports marketing and management. We are in need of massive funding. A few multinationals have ensured their financial support,” he added.

The PTF president pointed out that facilities and human resource audit would also be conducted.

He said: “We are very much clear and have asked stakeholders to come forward and present their ideas.”

In the next few months, he said, “We have four tournaments on our calendar –– Men's Davis Cup, Federation Cup, Asian Tennis Federation event and a junior international title.

“The ladies team is set to appear in the Fed Cup after a span of almost ten years.”

“The players will be sent to international academies while the local coaches will also be given international training so they can infuse better training skills among the junior players.”

He said the PTF would launch a new website, a promotional media campaign for the players besides ensuring sponsorship for almost all the top-ranking players.