the PTF with the collaboration of Aisam was also trying to invite Indian tennis star Sania Mirza to play some matches in Pakistan as a fund-raising campaign. -AFP Photo

LAHORE: While unfolding impressive tentative activity programme for this year, the Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) said the main hurdles in way of progress of the game are vote-mafia and nepotism in the federation.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Irshad Bhatti said that 65 per cent of the affiliated units of the PTF were not functioning, while many office-bearers were elected this year due to their lobby and not on the basis of their performance.

He said KP, Balochistan, Navy, PAF and many others failed to hold any activity for many decades.

“The PTF president has given all the top office-bearers of the federation some specific tasks and if they fail to deliver, they will no more be in the federation,” he said.

According to the activity programme, he said the federation would honour Aisam-ul-Haq by introducing a new annual tournament besides titling a court in Islamabad Club after his name.

He said the PTF with the collaboration of Aisam was also trying to invite Indian tennis star Sania Mirza to play some matches in Pakistan as a fund-raising campaign for the flood-affected people.

He said Sania was ready to play and the PTF was waiting for security clearance from the Punjab government.

He said the PTF would also issue central contracts to five top men and women of the country, under a scheme, which was likely to start from December 1, this year.

Top players would also be helped financially to play ATF circuit tournament in India and Turkey.

He said Turkey would hold almost 16 ATF tournaments, this year, and if the PTF managed to earn wild-card for some of its players, it would help lot to players to improve their international ranking.

He said some foreign coaches would also be involved to groom the players for the next Davis Cup tie against a strong South Korea.

He said after many years, this federation sent the women team to take part in the Fed Cup in Thailand this year.

He said the PTF had also decided that from now on a national ranking tournament must carry a cash prize of Rs500,000 or more, otherwise, the federation would not allow any unit to declare any tournament as a ranking one.

He said the PTF had started a comprehensive programme to generate money through sponsorship instead of relying on the aid of the government.