Pakistan achieves major milestone in International Tennis

2026-03-07 - 09:13

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has made a major breakthrough in international tennis, with eight Pakistani officials appointed to prestigious committees of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) for the 2026–2027 term. The appointments reflect growing recognition of Pakistan’s role in promoting and developing tennis both regionally and globally. Essam-ul-Haq Qureshi has been named a member of the ITF Athletes Commission, while Salim Saifullah has joined the ATF Finance, Legal, and Development Committee. Colonel Ziauddin will serve on the ATF Junior and Coaches Development Committee, and Sarah Mansoor has been appointed to the ITF Coaches Commission. Muhammad Ali Murtaza has joined the ITF Junior Committee, and Rashid Malik will serve on the ATF Marketing and Sponsorship Committee. Shehzad Akhtar Alvi has been included in the Tournament Officiating Committee, while Khalid Rehmani has been appointed to the ATF Senior, Wheelchair, and Beach Tennis Committee. Expressing pride over the appointments, Essam-ul-Haq Qureshi said that the trust placed in Pakistani officials by global tennis bodies is a matter of national pride. He added that participation in international committees will further strengthen Pakistan’s profile in the global tennis community. Naqvi assures Aisam-ul-Haq of his support to develop Tennis in Pakistan Last year in July, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, held a meeting with President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, to discuss strategies for the development and promotion of tennis in the country. During the meeting, Aisam-ul-Haq highlighted the lack of tennis infrastructure, particularly in Islamabad, and raised concerns about the shortage of functional courts. He stressed the urgent need for new tennis facilities to nurture and promote emerging talent across Pakistan. Responding to these concerns, Mohsin Naqvi directed relevant authorities to address the issues surrounding tennis courts in Islamabad and assured his full support for the growth of tennis in the country. He also pledged the construction of new courts to improve accessibility and training facilities for players. “Like cricket, Pakistan has immense talent in tennis. We want our players to shine internationally and make the nation proud,” said Naqvi. He also emphasized the growing popularity of padel tennis among youth and vowed to support the sport by creating new opportunities and infrastructure. Naqvi reaffirmed the PCB’s willingness to collaborate closely with the Pakistan Tennis Federation, saying that PCB stands ready to extend all possible assistance for the advancement of tennis nationwide. Aisam-ul-Haq congratulated Mohsin Naqvi on the successful hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and lauded his continued efforts to strengthen cricket in the country. He also expressed gratitude for Naqvi’s commitment to resolving tennis-related challenges and initiating the development of new tennis courts. PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed also attended the meeting. Brisbane Open: Tennis star Marta Kostyuk highlights Ukraine’s struggles after final