The ITF Pakistan Zainab Ali Naqvi Memorial World Junior Championship Leg-2 commenced at the PTF -SDA Tennis Complex on Tuesday, marking a poignant start in memory of the late Zainab Ali Naqvi. The promising junior tennis player tragically passed away last week in Islamabad, leaving the tennis community in mourning.
A total of 48 young players, both boys and girls, hailing from countries including Kazakhstan, Turkey, USA, Hong Kong, China, Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Romania, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Holland, and Thailand, are actively participating in the Championships. Additionally, 30 talented Pakistani boys and girls have taken to the courts, showcasing their skills and passion for tennis.
In a touching tribute, a ceremony was held at the PTF Complex to dedicate Court No-1 as the ‘Zainab Ali Naqvi Court’ in memory of the late tennis prodigy. The dedication ceremony was graced by Zainab’s parents, who traveled from Karachi for the event. The ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, Ex-President-PTF, Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, President of PTF, and a multitude of foreign and local players’ parents, coaches, and tennis enthusiasts.
Senator Salim Saifullah Khan and Aisam ul Haq paid heartfelt tributes to the young and talented Zainab, expressing their condolences and deep sympathies to her grieving parents. The dedication of the court stands as a lasting memorial to the promising athlete who left an indelible mark on the tennis community.
In the Boys Singles 1st Round matches, several competitive encounters unfolded:
- Xiuyuan Guo (CHN) displayed skill and determination, beating Papangkorn (THA) with a score of 6-4, 6-2.
- Doruk Elbirlik (TUR) secured victory against Haider Ali Rizwan (PAK) with a score of 6-2, 6-4.
- Jacob Shen (HKG) dominated the court against Salar Khan (PAK) with a resounding score of 6-1, 6-0.
- Ahmed Nael Qureshi (PAK) demonstrated prowess, defeating Ye Chan Choi (KOR) with a score of 6-1, 6-1.
Other notable matches included Ahtesham Humayun (PAK) defeating Howard Chan (HKG) with a score of 6-3, 6-1, and Bilal Asim (PAK) securing victory against Par Chandragholica (THA) with a score of 6-1, 6-3.
The tournament not only serves as a platform for intense competition but also as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life. Zainab Ali Naqvi’s memory lives on, inspiring young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and dedication, just as she did during her promising tennis career. The ITF Pakistan Zainab Ali Naqvi Memorial World Junior Championship Leg-2 promises to be a fitting tribute to the late tennis prodigy, celebrating the spirit of the sport and fostering camaraderie among young talents from around the world.
Fahad is an entrepreneur and a marketing enthusiast who loves to write on trending topics. He loves travelling & playing tennis is what he does in his leisure time. He tweets @fahad164.
Email:- fahad164@gmail.com , fahad@themediaparadigm.com
