PLTA hails Sahiwal Club for historic revival of National Ranking Tennis Championship
PLTA hails Sahiwal Club for historic revival of National Ranking Tennis Championship
By Nawaz Gohar ; The Punjab Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA) has officially lauded the management of the historic Sahiwal Club for its flawless execution of the All Pakistan Juniors/Seniors National Ranking Tennis Championship.
The governing body hailed the tournament as a monumental milestone that will supercharge the sport’s development across the region. The week-long national fixture marked the triumphant return of top-flight tennis to Sahiwal after a painstaking hiatus of nearly three decades.
Drawing a stellar lineup of both seasoned veterans and the country’s most promising prodigies, the championship received widespread acclaim for its elite infrastructure, competitive integrity, and immaculate hospitality.
The PLTA leadership extended its highest commendations to Sahiwal Club General Secretary Sheikh Azmat Saleem and Tennis Coordinator Mian Naveed Malik.
The duo’s meticulous planning, tireless operational oversight, and unwavering dedication were cited as the driving forces behind the event’s grand success.
Expressing immense satisfaction, PLTA officials voiced strong optimism that this championship will now transition into a permanent annual fixture on Pakistan’s national tennis calendar, serving as a vital crucible for nurturing emerging grassroots talent.
On the clay, the championship witnessed a flurry of clinical, high-octane performances across multiple age brackets as the tournament moved into its crucial knockout stages.
In the Men’s Singles second-round action, the powerhouse Ahtesham Humayun sent shockwaves through the draw, delivering a flawless double-bagel performance to dismiss Ahmad Hameed 6-0, 6-0. Not far behind,
Imran Bhatti showcased premium form by dismantling M. Ahmad Afzal 6-0, 6-1. Other heavyweights marching into the next round included: Abdul Basit, M. Zubair, and Subhan Sheikh Zeeshan, Atta Rabbi, and Suleman Junaid.
Junior Draw: Next-Gen Stars Take Center Stage
The youth circuits mirrored the intensity of the senior matches, punctuated by deep runs from the country’s elite junior prospects:
Boys Under-18 (Pre-Quarterfinals): Ahtesham Humayun pull double-duty dominance, routing Rehman Bilal 6-0, 6-1 to secure his quarterfinal berth alongside title contenders Aliyan Ali, Huzaifa Asif, Abdul Basit, and M. Yahya.
Boys Under-14: A highly competitive division saw clinical wins from Muhammad Muaz, Hasham Sher Chadar, Muhammad Ibraheem Hussain Gill, Aliyan Ali, Behroze Memon, Muhammad Ayan, Shayan Afridi, and Rashid Ali Bachani.
Boys Under-12: The opening round of the foundational tier saw rising starlets Ishfan Memon, Mustafa Zia, Majid Ali Bachani, Riyan Omer Khalil, Behroze Memon, Muhammad Faizan, Salman Pirzada, Mustafa Uzair Rana, and Salaar Khan all advance cleanly.
