Stars of yore to vie for honours: Seniors International Tennis from 24th
KARACHI, Nov 19: Couple of foreigners including an Indian, joins national players of the yore when the 10th Pakistan International Seniors Tennis Championship (world ranking) gets into action at the Karachi Club from Nov 24.
Indian No 1 in ITF Seniors 35 plus Kothiyal Morthy and Indonesian Agns Kana Wista have confirmed their entries while four foreigners who are here in connection with their employment will also show up to add colour to the event.
They include Charlier Francois (Belgium), Wolfgang (Germany), Lesslo Tobold (Hungry) and Filippo (Italy).
Morthy, a native of Madras, is due to arrive here from Mumbai on Nov 23.
Prominent home players who will make their presence felt in different categories are former Davis Cuppers Rashid Malik and Altaf Hussain in addition to Jamil Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Karim Gul Agha, M. Abdul Saeed, Ejaz Sarhadi, Akber Khan and M. Azharuddin.
They are expected to be joined by six players from Peshawar, two from Islamabad, one from Lahore besides the Karachi-based veterans.
The details of the event which is an annual feature of Pakistan Seniors Tennis Association (PSTA) were unfolded by organisers at a press conference held at the Karachi Club on Wednesday.
The weeklong activity which concludes on Nov 30 features 35 plus, 45 plus and 55 plus singles and doubles for men’s and 35 plus singles and doubles for women’s. The draws will be taken out on Nov 23 at 6.00pm.
According to organisers, the hosting of women’s event is subject to minimum eight entries. They have not yet received a single entry which closes on Nov 22.
Answering a question, president of PSTA, Saeed Hai, said the sponsors are providing quarter-of-a-million rupees to meet the expenses.
Yet to another query, he expressed his dismay for Aisamul Haq’s long absence from ITF Pakistan International Futures and national ranking events at home.
“He (Aisam) is a professional and has different priorities”, he remarked.