UBL International Hard Court Tennis from Dec 18

KARACHI: The inaugural UBL International Hard Court Tennis Championship will be played here at Karachi Gymkhana courts from December 18 to 24, organisers announced on Friday.

Besides top national men and women players, teenagers and veteran players will be seen in action in the week-long tennis activity.

"This is the first major event being staged in Karachi in a decade which carries a lucrative cash prize money of Rs One million," Tournament Director Khawaja Masroor told the media in a press briefing at the Karachi Gymkhana.

President Sindh Tennis Players Association (STPA) Raza Ali Mirza and Secretary Imran Ahmed, Vice President Pakistan Tennis Federation Saeed Ahmed and Treasurer Arif Qureshi and UBL representative Anita Mirza were also present on the occasion.

He said besides three men and two teenage women, top players from across Pakistan will be seen in action in men singles and doubles, women singles, boys under18, boys under14, veteran singles plus 45 and mixed doubles contests.

"Our basic purpose to stage this event is to re-launch grade-I competition in Karachi," Khawaja Masroor himself a keen tennis player, promotor and supporter said.

The technical officials of PTF Arif Qureshi said overall around 200 players will be taking part in the event and we have received 80 entries for the men's singles. He said there will be 32 players in men's and boys U18 and U14 singles and 16 players drawn in women singles.

He said top 24 players will be placed in men's draw while eight places will be filled with qualifying rounds which may start on Saturday.

STPLA is holding the event in collaboration with Pakistan Tennis Federation. (APP)