Event to feature 12 teams from the Region; Pakistan returns to final stage of Championship
SHYMKENT: Pakistan’s under-12 tennis team has departed for Shymkent, Kazakhstan, to participate in the ATF Under-12 Championship, scheduled from September 16 to 21. The championship will see 12 teams from across the region compete in what promises to be a high-stakes tournament.
The Pakistani contingent comprises three players—Shayaan Afridi, Muhammad Junaid, and Rashid Ali—accompanied by Coach Muhammad Abid, who will serve as the non-playing captain. In addition to the tournament, the team will partake in a rigorous three-week training camp. The programme is divided into two phases: a one-week session preceding the tournament and a two-week session thereafter.
This camp is organized under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) and the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF), aimed at bolstering the players’ skills and exposing them to high-level international competition. This marks the second time Pakistan has advanced to the final stage of this prestigious championship. In 2021, the Pakistani team achieved a notable victory over India to secure the title.
The participating nations in this year’s championship include:
West Asia: Syria, Saudi Arabia
Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan
South Asia: Pakistan, India
Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam
East Asia: China, Chinese Taipei, Korea
The MoU between the PTF and KTF ensures the Pakistani team will receive comprehensive training in Shymkent, marking the first instance of Pakistani players attending a training camp abroad. This opportunity is anticipated to significantly enhance their skills.
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the PTF, extended his best wishes to the team, encouraging them to perform with determination and aim to bring home the championship title. He underscored the significance of the MoU, highlighting how such initiatives provide young players with valuable opportunities to showcase and refine their talents. He also expressed appreciation to the KTF for hosting the Pakistani team.
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