Thaindian News

Karachi, Dec 11 (IANS) Pakistan tennis suffered yet another setback Friday when the International Tennis Federation (ITF) moved the country’s Davis Cup tie against Hong Kong from Lahore because of security fears.
The ITF informed the Pakistan Tennis Federation that the Davis Cup Group II match to be played March 5-7 has been relocated to Hong Kong.

This is the third time in a year that Pakistan has lost its hosting rights of a Davis Cup match because of security apprehensions. Pakistan’s Davis Cup opener early in 2009 was shifted to Muscat from Lahore while the next round’s match against the Philippines was moved to Manila.

Pakistan won the match against Oman but went on to lose the tie in Manila. Pakistan’s coaches blamed the shifting of the tie from Lahore to Manila as the major reason behind the loss, saying that their team could have easily beaten the Philippines on grass at home.

This year, the PTF was hoping that the ITF chiefs will allow it to host the match against Hong Kong in Lahore. However, in spite of PTF’s repeated requests the decision went against Pakistan.

“PTF has received a letter from ITF confirming the decision of the Davis Cup Committee at their meeting on Friday at the 2009 Davis Cup final in Barcelona. The Committee decided that as per Davis Cup Regulation 27 (e), Pakistan will lose choice of ground for this tie. The Davis Cup committee further decided that the tie will be held in Hong Kong China from 5-7 March 2010,” a PTF media statement said Friday.

“However next two times if Pakistan meets Hong Kong China in a Davis Cup tie on a home and away basis, choice of ground will be remain with Pakistan.”