The Independence Day Tennis Tournament will be commencing from Friday here at Synthetic Courts of the Qayyum Sports Complex. According to Secretary General KP Tennis Association Umar Ayaz, all arrangement have already been completed for the smooth conduct of the tournament wherein more than 120 players from all across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are competing in Men singles, Men doubles, ladies singles, veteran doubles (above 40), Under-14 singles and doubles.
He said Director (Accounts) Tariq Khan will formally inaugurate the tournament which is an annual feature of the KP Tennis Association calendar. President KP Tennis Association and renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Tahir will also grace the occasion.
He said the tournament is carrying Rs 0.1 million as prize money besides trophies and cash prizes would be awarded to the winners and runners-up players. He said international player Shoaib Khan, who represented Pakistan in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and India will be competing in the Men singles and Men doubles.
Saqib Umar, Aqib Umer, who also played Junior Davis Cup for Pakistan in India and Sri Lanka will be part of the main round in the Men singles and Men doubles. International Kashan Umer who recently represented Pakistan in the Nepal in the Junior Davis Cup tie, Hamid Israr, Uzair Khan Internationals will be played in the Under-14 singles and doubles.
He also lauded President KP Tennis Association for his efforts in promoting Tennis in the province besides the support extended by another Tennis player Dr. Farhat Abbas, many players are now in the top ranking. He said Roman Pakistan No. 1 in the Under-10 category will also play in the Under-14 Boys and doubles event.
He said that in the Men singles Barkat Ullah will be seeded No. 1 and Yousaf Khalil is seed No. 2, Ijaz and Saqib are seeded No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. In the Under-14 category Hamid Israr is seed No. 1 and Hamza Roman is seed No. 2, Kashan Umar is seed No. 3 and Uzair Khan is seed No. 4. He said in the Men singles the draw of 64 has been opened with 32 players are completing in the Men doubles. A total 16 players competing in Veterans and in the Under-14 singles there is a draw of 32 each in the Men singles and Men doubles. In the Ladies singles Orin is the top seeded player, followed by Anum as second seed.