KARACHI: Aqeel Khan, one of Pakistan’s top tennis players, has said that he may proceed to the US in early June on a training tour provided he gets the visa in time.
“I’ve received invitation from an academy through the efforts of former player Zulfiqar Rahim and will apply for visa in a day or two,” he told Dawn.
He said the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has offered to bear the expenses of the trip to any country across the world where he intends to travel for training provided he (Aqeel) gets the visa.
Aqeel, 31, disclosed that his plans to visit India in May-June were shelved because it takes a long time to get the visa of the neighbouring country.
Pakistan take on South Korea in the Asia Oceania zone group two second round of Davis Cup on the latter’s soil from July 8 to 10.
The Pakistan No 1 said Samir Iftikhar, who was part of the national Davis Cup team that won the first round rubber against Hong Kong China 3-2 two months ago, has joined a university in the US and may not be available for the next tie.
Aqeel’s brother Jalil Khan, who finished fifth in the trials held for the first round tie, is likely to fill the vacuum. He has made it to four finals in Honda Cup, Khyber Cup, CDA Open and Sargodha Cup recently. Aisam-ul-Haq, Aqeel and Yasir Khan are the other members of the team.
“He replied in negative when asked whether he got hundred percent raise in the purse after the last Davis Cup triumph.
“I received $1,000 as appearance money plus the winning bonus and the amount was the same which I was getting earlier,” he added.
Aqeel pointed out that he was getting the Davis Cup appearance money for the last two years.
Similarly, he said Aisam used to get $2,000 appearance money in addition to the winning bonus.
Aqeel lamented that he has witnessed no significant improvement in terms of prize money or the daily allowance during the last 15 years. “In 1996-97 men’s singles winner used to get Rs35,000 and Rs500 daily but instead of enhancement in view of inflation, the daily has come down to Rs400”.
He went on to say that more and more juniors should be sent abroad for advance training in order to raise their level.
He said though he has many lucrative offers from abroad but he wants to serves his own country.
Pakistan, he said, has competent coaches who should be offered matching remuneration given to foreigners.
“The PTF should utilise the services of veteran Davis Cupper and coach Saeed Meer, Rashid Malik etc for grooming the youths,” he added.
He also called upon the PTF to invite a few present and past reputed players in the AGM as observers to listen their suggestions for the betterment of game.
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