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KARACHI: Pakistan Tennis Federation president Syed Kaleem Imam has said that US-based qualified coach Jalil Riaz would arrive in Pakistan in June to coach Gimcheon-si bound Davis Cup team. “The PTF has requested the coach to train the players before their next assignment in South Korea, slated to be held from July 8 to 10,” he told on Friday.
The former Islamabad IG police, who is due to take a UN peacekeeping assignment, further said, “The PTF has substantially raised the Davis Cup purse of Aisam-ul-Haq and Aqeel Khan. The former was paid US$3,000 as against previous amount of US$2,000 while the latter was given US$2,000 as against US$1,000.
“In addition, Aisam and Aqeel were paid Rs50,000 apiece announced by the federal sports minister for winning the Davis Cup tie last month while the remaining amount of Rs50,000 was distributed among two players and non-playing captain.”
The PTF president added, “The federation would provide financial assistance of Rs50,000 to the four provincial associations apiece for holding an annual national junior ranking tournament.”
He further added, “The federation would extend full support to all players including ladies, who were willing to travel abroad for participation in international events.”
Kaleem disclosed that launch of a PTF website was on the anvil besides introducing PPIN registration number for players first time ever.
He said he has started from the scratch and was making concerted efforts in all directions to bring the game on right track.
“You need enormous funds in the kitty to run the show and bring laurels to the nation,” he remarked.
The incumbent said things were getting better day by day since he took over the assignment on Nov 26.
“Pakistan's 3-2 success against Hong Kong China in Davis Cup rubber, participation in Fed Cup after a decade, staging of ITF Level I officiating course in Islamabad and reviving dormant units speaks about the efforts put in by my team in a short span of time,” he added.
Responding to a question, he said commissioners of Faisalabad and Sargodha have assured to create infrastructure in their respective cities.
He said the PTF had recently conducted a fund-raising dinner at Faisalabad.
