PTF chief denies saying Sania should play for Pakistan
Hours after the local media quoted him as saying that Sania Mirza should represent Pakistan after marriage, Pakistan Tennis Federation Dilawar Abbas today denied making such comments, claiming he had been misunderstood.
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Karachi: Hours after the local media quoted
him as saying that Sania Mirza should represent Pakistan after
her marriage to Shoaib Malik, Pakistan Tennis Federation
Dilawar Abbas today denied making such comments, claiming he
had been misunderstood.
"How can she play for Pakistan when she is an Indian
national and wants to remain an Indian national?" Abbas told
reporters.
"I said that she should play in Pakistan not for
Pakistan. Obviously you need to be a Pakistani national to
represent this country in any sport," he said.
Abbas` remarks was in contrast to what appeared in `The
News` which quoted the PTF chief as saying that Sania should
don Pakistan colour after her marriage.
"It is great news for our tennis community that Sania
Mirza is getting married to Shoaib Malik. We welcome her and
hope that she would become a Pakistani national and play for
us in future. She has a great future ahead and we would be
delighted if she plays for Pakistan," Abbas was quoted as
saying.
"Asian women traditionally follow their husbands which is
why I`m hopeful that someday she would be inspired by Shoaib
to play for Pakistan," he added.
Abbas, however, claimed he had been misunderstood.
"I was misunderstood. I meant that after marriage she
should play in Pakistan. She can take part in our national
events and we will allow that as it is allowed under our PTF
constitution," Abbas said.
He said there was no doubt that Sania was a tennis icon
for many female sports lovers and if she came to Pakistan she
should play exhibition matches or hold coaching clinics.
"If she comes to Pakistan and does this I am sure she
will attract a lot of her fans to take up tennis and also help
us improve our overall tennis standards," he said.
Abbas said he wished the couple a happy married life and
hoped Sania would visit Pakistan regularly and get involved in
the sport in any capacity.
Pakistan`s top tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq also ruled out
Sania`s chance of playing for Pakistan.
"How can she do that? She has been representing India all
these years, she is a big star there and she has a lot of
Indian fans. She has so many of her sponsors in India so I
don`t think it is possible for her to come and play for
Pakistan," Aisam said.
He, however, felt that if Sania visits Pakistan and takes
part in tennis activities, it would be a big boost for the
sport in the country.
"Tennis in Pakistan needs big names to come to Pakistan,"
he added.
PTI
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