In another sign of Pakistan's keenness to resume sporting ties with India, the country's Tennis Federation has got clearance to hire an Indian coach, Beerbul Wadera.PTF President Syed Kaleem Imam today confirmed that the Ministry of Sports and Interior Ministry had given the NOC to the federation for hiring the Indian coach.
"We have got the NOC and now we will be in touch with Wadera to work out details with him. We intend to have the coach hold camps across Pakistan for the youngsters as well as top players," he said.
He also said the federation was in touch with the government regarding a proposal by top tennis star Aisam-ul Haq to play against his doubles partner Rohan Bopanna on the Wagah border to send out a message of peace and harmony on both sides of the border and to the world.
Aisam has already written a letter to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani requesting him to help organise the ground-breaking peace match. Aisam and Bopanna, who are currently playing on the international circuit, have both supported the peace match.
The PTF official said once the government gave clearance for the match, the federation can set up a tennis court for the exhibition match. The PTF official also said that efforts were being made to invite foreign players to play in Pakistan and invitations had been sent out to China, Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and other countries of this region to send their players for invitational tournament to be played here in few months' time.
Meanwhile, the ministry of sports has also issued NOCs to the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association to send their team for the Asian Championship being held in India from April 23.
Pakistan cueists Mohammad Sajjad and Imran Shehzad are also hopeful of getting visas soon.