Pakistan’s tennis community took a significant step toward its international aspirations as a delegation from the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) participated in the Annual General Meetings (AGMs) of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF). These meetings, held from October 8 to 11 in Hong Kong, served as a global platform for top tennis officials to engage in discussions about the future of the sport.
Strengthening Global Tennis Relations
The AGMs gathered prominent figures in tennis, providing an opportunity for national federations to collaborate, share experiences, and work on the development of tennis worldwide. Representing Pakistan was a high-profile delegation led by Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, patron of the PTF and a member of the ATF Board of Directors, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of PTF and an iconic tennis player, and Mohammad Ali Murtaza, member of the ATF Marketing Committee.
The ATF AGM took place on October 8 and 9, followed by the ITF AGM on October 10 and 11. Pakistan’s delegation took an active role in discussing strategic plans for boosting the sport in Asia and strengthening tennis within Pakistan.
Senator Salim Saifullah, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s participation at such an international forum.
“Representing Pakistan on such a prestigious platform is a great honor. We discussed strategic plans that will not only boost tennis in Asia but also promote its growth in Pakistan,” said Senator Saifullah.
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi’s First AGM as PTF President
For Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, this was a milestone moment as he attended the ITF AGM for the first time in his new role as President of PTF. His presence was warmly acknowledged by key tennis figures such as David Haggerty, ITF President, and Yuriy Polskiy, ATF President.
Aisam expressed his excitement about the productive discussions and the valuable contacts made during the meetings.
“It was a very positive and enriching experience to attend the AGM as President of the Federation. We had meaningful interactions with heads of tennis federations worldwide. It was a wonderful experience, and we made valuable contacts,” said Aisam.
Among those he connected with were notable tennis leaders, including Bulat Utemuratov (President of Kazakhstan Tennis Federation), Abdul Redha J. Al Ghareeb (President of Kuwait Tennis Federation), Mario Monroy (President of Peru Tennis Federation), Dietloff von Arnim (President of German Tennis Federation), and several others from Sri Lanka, Oman, Hong Kong, Moldova, and Turkmenistan.
Aisam’s networking at the AGMs is expected to open new doors for collaboration, training exchanges, and tennis development initiatives between Pakistan and other nations.
“I am confident that the outcomes of these discussions will lead to significant improvements for tennis in Pakistan. We will continue working with all of them to promote and develop tennis in the region and our country,” Aisam added.
Building Tennis in Pakistan
The presence of Pakistan’s delegation at these international tennis forums signals the country’s commitment to expanding and promoting tennis both regionally and globally. The strategic plans discussed during the AGMs are aimed at not only enhancing the profile of tennis in Pakistan but also at increasing the sport’s participation levels, improving infrastructure, and nurturing young talent.
By participating in such high-level discussions, Pakistan is positioning itself to benefit from the collective experiences of established tennis nations, building a stronger future for the sport domestically.
The meetings in Hong Kong have laid a promising foundation for Pakistan’s continued efforts in advancing tennis, while also showcasing the country’s growing influence on the global tennis stage.
