Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Two Indian players have registered for the Men’s Asian Ranking Tennis Championships – part of the Asian Tennis Tour (ATT) – which is scheduled to begin on October 23 at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Complex here in federal capital. According to a PTF spokesman, registration for the first leg ended on October 8 and two players from India had applied to take part in the tournament. The spokesman believes that while more international participation is needed, the interest from across the border is a step in the right direction.

“The registration deadline for the first tournament was October 8. The international participation for the first ATT event in Pakistan is low, but it’s a good sign that we have two Indian players who want to come here. The tournament will be featuring Pakistan’s top players too, including Davis Cuppers Aqeel Khan and Muhammad Abid,” the spokesman added. The tournament is designed to provide a chance to the participants to gain enough points to play in the Asian Tennis Federation circuit. The ATT is being held for the first time in Pakistan, with previous tournaments having taken place in India, Thailand and Libya already this year.

The PTF official further said that the PTF would support the Indian visitors in every way they can, adding that the tennis communities in both the countries were cordial toward each other. “We have excellent relations with the tennis community in India. However, visa clearances are subject to the relations between the two governments. We’re hoping for the best,” he concluded.