Karachi :
The Pakistan Tennis Federation has sought the assistance of newly-elected Asian Tennis Federation President Anil Khanna to host next year’s Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group-1 tie against China in Lahore.
Khanna, who is also a Vice-President in the International Tennis Federation, visited Lahore and Islamabad this week on the invitation of the PTF.
“Anil Khanna has come to Pakistan to discuss the development of the sport in Asia but we have also discussed the issue of Pakistan’s Davis Cup home ties being held at neutral venues,” PTF secretary Khalid Rehmani said on Saturday.
“We feel the ATF President is an influential figure in Asian and International Tennis bodies and can help us in convincing the ITF to allow us to host the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group-1 tie against China in Lahore next March,” Rehmani said.
The PTF has proposed the DHA club in Lahore as a safe venue to host the tie which will be played from March 4 to 6.
“We also discussed a security plan we have devised for the Davis Cup tie and for foreign players who agree to come to Pakistan,” he added.
Rehmani, a former national ranking player, said Pakistan’s best chance of beating China was on grass courts which is why they wanted the tie to be held in Lahore.
“We have qualified for the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone Group-1 after many years and we want to be competitive and win the first round qualifying tie,” he said.
“China has also asked us to provide them with all security arrangement plans and we are hopeful that Khanna can also play a role in bringing back international tennis to Pakistan.”
Pakistan has not hosted any Davis Cup home tie in the country for the last many years as opposing teams have all refused to tour the country because of security concerns.
