ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 Shahida Kausar Farooq, a non-voting member of the Pakistan Tennis Federation's (PTF) general council, announced on Monday that she would contest for the post of federation's president, slated to be held this month, besides ensuring International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments for Pakistan.

PTF's current president Senator Dilawar Abbas had announced he would not contest elections for another term.

“All I want is more foreign tours for our players, a busy national tennis circuit and to bring back ITF ranking tournaments for our players,” insisted Shahida, an avid tennis player.

Pakistan's sports, specifically tennis, have failed to attract foreign players, especially after the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by militants in Lahore last year.

“Our top priority will be to sign contracts with foreign coaches and physical trainers for Pakistan players while coaches will also be given training under new coaching training initiative,” said Shahida, who has seen much resistance from several sporting officials for holding local events.

Commenting on the financial state of the federation, she said “We will generate maximum finances from sponsorships so that players can get an opportunity to get training at international professional tennis academies.”

Asked that players from rural areas and cities were not given any chance on the national circuit, Shahida added that tennis development academies will be established in rural Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

She added “Players from rural areas will initially be brought at the Pakistan Tennis Federation Complex hostel and given free training, meals and even stipend to expand the base of sport at the grass-roots level.”

Meanwhile, a sports board official said that tennis federation's seat was open for all the candidates and anyone who won the required votes would be given the post of PTF's president.

He added that Shahida would likely to face a tough competition from political figures who were also eyeing the seat.