KUCHING: Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Boys Junior National Captain cum coach Heera Ashiq said they will take time to savour their qualification to the ITF World Junior Tennis Team Competition U14 (Boys).
It is Pakistan’s first qualification to the world finals in 27 years, which will be held in Czechia in August, and the coach expressed his delight that his boys managed to get themselves back into the world stage for the first time since 1996.
“We will take some time to savour this achievement and think about what is our target in the world finals a bit later on.
“My players did well in the Asia/Oceania Final against Japan and I would like to thank the boys for giving their all in that match,” he said.
Speaking on whether going into the Asia/Oceania Final, which was held at Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) Centre here from March 27 to April 1, was always the target when they first came here to Kuching, he said no as securing for the top four to qualify for the world finals were the initial target.
“We had a good match against Hong Kong in the semi-final and I am grateful that we were able to win, and we were in with a chance to win in the final too.
“Everything was in our hand but this is part of the game. The players played well in the Final but Japan played better so I am happy to be able to go home with the silver medal as our target to qualify for the world finals have been achieved,” he added.
