Islamabad January 25 (Online): Tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has emerged as a strong contender for the post of president Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) in upcoming elections scheduled to be held on February 10.
Following the permission sought from the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), sitting PTF President Salim Saifullah Khan has convened a meeting of the PTF Council on 10th February, 2024 to elect the president, secretary, and treasurer of the tennis federation for the next four-year term.
Nominations will be received at the PTF office by 2nd February, meanwhile scrutiny of the candidates will be done by 5th February. Final list of the candidates will be issued by 7th February while the elections will be held on 10th February.
‘Aisam as PTF President could lead to problems’
The nomination of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi as President of PTF will prove to be a case of conflict of interest, according to ex-Davis Cup captain, coach and former national champion Hameed-ul-Haq
“It seems nice that a tennis player could bring about a change in Pakistan’s tennis, but in Aisam’s case it may prove far from such an assumption,” said Hameed while talking to The News.
He added that Aisam has ACE academy to look after. Therefore, fulfilling the duties of president of the tennis federation would be problematic.
“I am afraid that all the bugdet, resources and energy of PTF will possibly be diverted to his ACE academy,” said Hameed.
He said that Aisam always took an appearance fee of $3000 in each Davis Cup tie he participated along with business class tickets in case a tie was held abroad.
Thus, he added, the PTF management had to spend almost half of its budget on Aisam every time.
“If under some circumstances he is elected the President, he will be presenting a budget to fill his own pockets in terms of appearance fee which will prove to be a big joke,” said Hameed.
Follow the PNI Facebook page for the latest news and updates.
