ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) appears to be at loggerheads with a female member of the federation who has demanded audit of the financial records relating to the international tours undertaken by national players and ‘officials’.

“The audited accounts are discussed in PTF’s annual general meetings, and are approved by the council members. The copies of the audited accounts are also submitted to the PSB and POA while the board does not allocate funds for the next year till they receive the audited accounts,” Secretary PTF Rashid Khan said in response to a genuine request of Shahida Farooq Sattar, a governing body member of the federation.

Surprisingly, the federation for the first time said that it was willing to show all documents and reveal the accounting details related to Davis Cup camp and the cost incurred on the national team’s visit to New Zealand.

Pakistan’s tennis squad comprising top-ranking players Aisam-ul-Haq, Aqeel Khan, Jaleel Khan and Yasir Khan travelled to New Zealand recently to feature in the Asia-Oceania Zone Group-II Davis Cup second round (July 8-10), which they lost 3-2.

Despite the allegations made against the female PTF council member, the federation however, did not comment over the tours they [officials] have undertaken during the tenure of former Senator Dilawar Abbas, now the patron of the federation.

In its statement, the PTF has only mentioned that none of its officials accompanied the team that completed an ‘unsuccessful stint’ for Group-II Davis Cup ties to New Zealand.

Meanwhile, when approached, Shahida said: “Instead of mudslinging the officials of PTF should come up with true facts and brief the general public over the tours they [PTF officials] have carried out during the last few years.”

Shahida, who has sponsored several national and international tournaments in Pakistan, insisted: “Despite being a non-voting member of the federation my main objective is aimed at developing sports.

“I have nothing to prove before anyone as the tennis players and people are aware about my contribution for the development of tennis in Pakistan.”
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