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Pakistan
May Ban Wimbledon
Hero for Teaming with Israeli
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| Israel's
Hadad, right, and Qureshi of Pakistan. |
KARACHI, June 29 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Pakistani sports
officials Saturday condemned the pairing of Pakistani tennis player
Aisamul Haq Qureshi with an Israeli player in
Wimbledon
's doubles event. Qureshi’s historic achievement was overshadowed by
his controversial decision to pair with an Israeli player, news
agencies reported.
Qureshi,
paired with Amir Hadad of
Israel
, upset 11th seed Rick Leech of the
United States
and Ellis Ferreira of
South Africa
to reach the third round of this year's second Grand Slam tournament
Friday, June 28, 2002
.
"Although
he is playing in his private capacity, we officially condemn his
playing with an Israeli player and an explanation has been sought from
him," Pakistan Sports Board Director Brigadier Saulat Abbas told
Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"Since
Pakistan
has no links with
Israel
, Qureshi may face a ban."
Qureshi,
22, created history by becoming the first Pakistani player to reach
the third round of a Grand Slam event, but it is his teaming up with
an Israeli player which grabbed headlines in Muslim Pakistan.
"When
players compete on the professional circuit, they are not bound to
national federations, but we have sought an explanation from him and
if advised by the government, we may take action," Pakistan
Tennis Federation (PTF) President Syed Dilawar Abbas said.
Qureshi
played a key role in
Pakistan
's Davis Cup semi-final win over
Taiwan
in the Asia Oceania zone group II in
Lahore
and would be vital in the country's Davis Cup final against
China
in September.
Pakistan
lags behind in international tennis and has yet to produce a world
class player.
"Due
to the bloodshed in the
Middle East
, Qureshi's pairing with an Israeli player is wrong," said former
Pakistan
tennis champion Saeed Hai.
Hai
was the first Pakistani to play in the singles, men's doubles and
mixed doubles events of
Wimbledon
from 1954-56, but he never made it beyond the first round.
However,
Pakistan
's tennis captain Rasheed Malik spoke up in support of Qureshi, going
directly to the player’s achievement, and ignoring the reason behind
criticism.
"We
should appreciate his progress in an international event rather than
criticizing it," Malik said. "At times, you have no option
when it comes to choosing your partner and what he has achieved should
be appreciated."
Qureshi
himself was unperturbed by the controversy. "I am surprised at
the fuss being made over my partnership. I would like to be talked
about for my tennis (abilities) rather than politics," Qureshi
told AFP in
London
.
"If
we can change people's minds then that would be a good thing."
On
Friday, the PTF sidelined itself from the controversy saying it had
nothing to do with Aisam's participation at
Wimbledon
, according to Pakistani daily newspaper Dawn.
"Aisam
entered in the tournament as an individual players. Therefore, we had
no justification in stopping him from teaming up with an
Israeli," PTF officials said.
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