Top seed Aqeel clinches men’s singles

ISLAMABAD—Top seed Aqeel Khan overwhelmed Asim Shafik in straight sets in the final to capture the men’s singles crown of the Subh-e-Nau National Clay Court Tennis Championship 2007 here at Islamabad Club on Sunday.
It was Aqeel’s second back-to-back national title, as he had won the Federal Cup Tennis Tournament a week ago at PTF Complex, Islamabad.
Chief guest Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A Memon distributed the prizes and trophies amongst the players at the closing ceremony of the national tennis fixture. Aqeel Khan received winning trophy and Asim Shafik collected runner up trophy with cash prizes. Over 200,000 rupees were given away to the players.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A Memon said the government would patronise all sports especially the disciplines like tennis in which the country had potential as demonstrated by current national players Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan with their performance in international competitions.
“We will provide level playing field to all sports as we are doing for all political parties”, he jested. “Not just cricket but all sports would be given air time on media”, he said, hoping that Pakistan cricket team would bounce back from its current performances.
He appreciated the Pakistan Tennis Federation for providing international standard facilities for the promotion of tennis. NGOs like Subh-e-Nau, he said, were also playing their useful role in the promotion of this game.
Nisar Memon said he had taken to golf lately but knew tennis to be an exciting game. “Our tennis players can bring laurels for the country like some other sports”, he said in response to welcome remarks of tournament director Mehwish Chishtie and Subhe-Nau chief Shahida Farooq.
Ace tennis player Aqeel Khan thrashed his opponent Asim Shafik 6-0, 6-1 in a one-sided men’s singles final. Aqeel Khan never allowed his opponent to settle down by hitting powerful strokes and excellent smashes.—Online