ISLAMABAD – Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) president and vice president International Tennis Federation Anil Kumar Khanna said that ‘’Lahore is my second home because my father belongs to Lahore “I have strong and deep roots in Pakistan. I always give high importance to Pakistan. Addressing to a crowded press conference at PTF complex Islamabad along with Pakistan Tennis Federation president Salim Saifullah Khan, patrons Senator Dilawar Abbas, Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, ,SVP, Khawar Hayat,Iftakhar Rasheed,Arif Qureshi,Inam ul Haq,Hameed ul Haq he announced the next Annual General Council (AGM) meeting of ATF will be held in Islamabad. Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) president and vice president International Tennis Federation Anil Khanna said that Senator Dilawar Abbas as his elder brother. I as today whatever enjoying at International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) just because of Senator Dilawar Abbas’ all-out support and vote in his first election. “I am highly obliged and humble for the love and respect Pakistanis rendered to me. I have always given wildcards to Pakistani juniors in Indian events and will not hesitate in doing so in future. Islamabad is a very beautiful place and I am stunned to witness such a wonderful tennis complex name after my brother Dilawar Abbas. Pakistan Tennis Federation president Salim Saifullah Khan is doing wonders and I am sure both Dilawar and Salim will be inducted in the ITF on very respectable slots next year.” Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) president and vice president International Tennis Federation Anil Khanna said he would take up the PTF Complex renovation, extension and up-gradation of courts in next meeting. “It is not only the duty of ITF, ATF and PTF but also government to help the federation in best possible manner. The body alone cannot even think about conducting events, so extending facilities under such financial strains is not an easy task. Not only Pakistan but we all almost face similar kind of issues in India. When I started taking interest in tennis affairs way back in 1991, there were only two courts in New Delhi and coach was getting a meager Rs 2500 monthly salary. Now in 2015 only in New Delhi, we have around 400 to 500 tennis courts, where each coach is earning at least Rs 100,000 monthly and same is the situation in other states as well.”
“It is almost impossible for players to participate even at Asian level events in such tight financial position, but they have to play in maximum events to earn ranking points. I am sure with Salim and Dilawar, also in the ITF board; we can plead Pakistan case very strongly. Pakistan should be allowed to host their Davis Cup matches in Pakistan. Pakistan government and the PTF chief must use their good offices to persuade China to play Davis Cup Group-I tie in Pakistan, as playing on grass courts would not be an easy job for Chinese to beat Pakistan with Aisam and Aqeel in Pakistani ranks,” he added. He said: “Aqeel played majority of his tennis in India and we consider him half Indian. Pakistan is blessed to have international player like Aisam, who have beaten our top player in India.”
“Nobody can deprive Pakistan of their right, as they are amongst top seven tennis playing nations in Asia. We will send coaches to Pakistan for training juniors and Pakistan’s lone level-III coach Kamran Khalil will accompany Pakistan U-18 players as captain to ATF events. We will also invite two Pakistani coaches for one-week training in India. We will strongly plead Pakistan’s case in ITF meeting to allow Pakistan host ITF future events in 2016 and also start Asian Development Circuit in which instead of holding high-price events, we will work on conducting low-price events, as it will help juniors a great deal and reduce burden on different federations,” he added.
He said Pakistan would also participate in SAF Games in Guwahati. “As I am also the treasurer of Indian Olympic Association and I have included tennis in the Games for the very first time, it will be great fun. It is very important for Pakistan and India to continue this cooperation in tennis, as without our close contacts, we could have not achieved what we have been enjoying today at ITF and ATF. I would love to come again whenever PTF invites me.
“We would take up holding next ATF annual general council meeting in Pakistan in our meeting to be held in Colombo on November 28 and delegates of 44 countries of the ATF would assemble in Islamabad next time around,” Khanna concluded. Earlier Pakistan Tennis Federation president Salim Saifullah Khan, patrons Senator Dilawar Abbas, Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, thanked the ATF chief for visiting Pakistan and hoped his visit would further blossom ties between India and Pakistan and he would play major role in reviving international sports in Pakistan.
President ATF Anil Kumar Khanna planted a Guava <Amrode> tree at PTF complex Islamabad
By.Asghar Ali Mubarak
Islamabad—The Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) president and vice president International Tennis Federation Anil Kumar Khanna planted a Guava <Amrode> tree at PTF complex Islamabad along with Pakistan Tennis Federation president Salim Saifullah Khan, patrons Senator Dilawar Abbas, Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, ,SVP, Khawar Hayat,Iftakhar Rasheed,Arif Qureshi,Inam ul Haq,Hameed ul Haq on other day. The tradition of asking visiting dignitaries to plant a tree is evidence of the importance of trees in Pakistani culture. The Tree planting is also globally associated with friendship-a growing tree symbolizes a strong bond of friendship. Planting trees in the memory of deceased leaders, famous personalities, relatives and family members directly supports environment. But the emotional support provided by trees planted in the memory of loved ones is a less talked about social benefit of promoting trees outside forests. Requesting the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) president and vice president International Tennis Federation Anil Kumar Khanna to plant a tree is an indication of the importance which Pakistan and Pakistani people attach to trees. Guava contains maximum vitamin C content per l00g. Of pulp after Amla. Guava is an important fruit of tropical and subtropical area of the world. It is commonly called poor man’s fruit. It contains antioxidant factors and can control systolic blood pressure. It is good source of roughage and help in removal of constipation. In India it is cultivated almost throughout except higher hills. It gives two crops in a year. That is why it is being preferred for plating in soils where citrus cannot be grown. Two main cultivars which originated in sub continent. Guava has become an important fruit crop of Pakistan. Guava is native to Central America and is widely cultivated in South Africa, Hawai, Indian continent and Mexico. It is a spreading tree, may grow up to height of 8 meters with same spread. The trunk is light brown in color with shredding scaly bark. Highly branched tree. The leaves are oblong-elliptic in shape. The pubescent is present on the underside of leaves. Leaves are light green to dark green in color show crimson colored strips during cold weather. Flowers appear on new growth singly or in three to four. Guava gives two to three crops in year. The growers have been advised to forgo the rainy season crop as it is usually attacked by fruit fly. However, orchards are auctioned for the whole year hence it becomes difficult to convince the contractors to eliminate the rainy season crop. Ovary is inferior, stamens many. Fertilization takes place before the opening of the flower, which is termed as cleistogamy. The fruit shape may vary from round to oblong or pyriform depending upon the cultivar. Flesh is soft contains many seeds in the centre, although seedless fruits are also found.
