Pakistan tennis chief promises India full-proof security ahead of Davis Cup tie

Seeking to allay fears on Indian team’s security during the Davis Cup tie, Pakistan Tennis Federation President Salim Saifullah Khan assured that the contest will be held in safe and secure environment, promising “impressive hospitality” to the visitors.

The PTF chief also said they plan to invite India’s PrimeMinister Narendra Modi to watch the contest, scheduled for September 14-15, andpromised a memorable hospitality to the visiting team and fans.

   

“We are eagerly waiting for the Indian team. There willbe good arrangements for Indian fans and the players. We will host the tie in avery safe and secure atmosphere,” Salim Saifullah told PTI in an exclusiveinterview.

“There is a lot of excitement in Pakistan for this tie.Everyone is happy. It’s better if we spray tennis balls at each other and notbombs. I am confident that the Indian team will be impressed with Pakistan’shospitality.”

An Indian tennis team is set to travel to Pakistan for thefirst time in 55 years. The last time Pakistan hosted India was way back in1964 when the visitors won 4-0 in Lahore.

When reminded that there are apprehensions regardingplayers’ safety in Pakistan, Salim assured that nothing untoward will happen.

“The ITF consultants were here for three days and theyinspected everything. Islamabad is not a big city like Delhi, Lahore andMumbai. The population here is below two million.

“All the set up will be declared a red zone because theParliament, Presidency and the PM (residence) are also there. I am sure nothinguntoward will happen and the Indian players would be comfortable,” hesaid.

“When ITF allowed us to host ties, it was based on thefact that there is a consistent campaign against terrorists and terrorism bythe government. There is a lot of difference between the 2010 incident and2019. We have improved a lot,” he added.

Salim said the two nations are similar and the people tooare same — a view a lot of the commoners share in both the countries.

“The Indian players have visited here for the ITF Futurestournaments as well. And when Indians come here, it’s difficult to separatethem from Pakistanis because we look the same. The clothes are the same, thefood is also the same. We always advise them to stay in specific hotels.Nothing has happened so far and Inshallah, nothing will happen,” he hoped.

The soft-spoken Salim is a staunch supporter of sportsdiplomacy, which he felt can be used to normalise the relations between the twonations.

“Our Prime Minister and the government have been tryingthat a dialogue happens and solutions (to problems between two countries) areexplored. People in Pakistan crave to go to India and people in India also wantto visit Pakistan. I hope these visits start.

“It will help the sport. India is our next-doorneighbour and our players can go there at a very little expense to train andcompete with your players.

“It’s a beginning, let’s see. Our player Aisam andBopanna had reached the US Open final in 2013 and I had watched their semifinalin New York. I hope the situation improves.

“We are planning to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modito come and watch the tie in Islamabad.”

When asked what it means for Pakistan to host India aftermore than five decades, Salim said, “It was God’s blessing that first timean Indian tennis team is coming to Islamabad.”

“One team had come to Lahore after independence (1964).We feel It’s a good opportunity for the two countries to show maturity. Weshould not mix politics and sports.

“Rather if sports and sports diplomacy is used to makethe situation better, nothing like it. There is a lot of hype here. Inshallah,it will be a well-arranged and well-contested tie.”

In the court though, it is highly unlikely that the Indianteam will be troubled by the home side, which does not have many qualitysingles players.

Veteran Aqeel Khan has been their crusader for long, thenumber one player for almost two decades.

“I really regret that we do not have many good singlesplayers. Our youngsters are still not able to beat Aqeel. There are many factorsthat game did not grow and a big one was that Pakistan was not allowed to hostDavis Cup for 12 years. It affects.

“People may not go and watch Aisam play outside but when he plays in Pakistan, people do come. Tennis over the years has not got the patronage from the government and sponsors, unlike India. “You have a lot of funds for sports, but for us, it’s still an issue. Nothing can happen without funds. But we are trying. It’s an uphill task. I hope this tie helps generate more interest and enthusiasm and we will produce more Aqeel Khans and Aisams.” PTI

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