Aisam, Ushna, Muzammil win titles at National Tennis C’ship

LAHORE: Aisam ul Haq Qureshi and Ushna Suhail grabbed mixed doubles title, Muzammil Murtaza bagged men’s singles titles and Ushna claimed ladies singles title in the Khawaja Iftikhar Memorial National Ranking Tennis Championship 2024 at Sports Board Punjab Center Tennis Court, Nishtar Park Sports Complex on Saturday.

The highlight of the concluding day was mixed doubles final between Aisam/Ushna and Abdullah Adnan and Amna Ali Qayyum, which was witnessed by huge and enthusiastic crowd, which enjoyed each and every moment of the final and cheered for both the pairs on earning each point.

After a very healthy competition, the enthralling encounter was won by Aisam and Ushna, who defeated the spirited duo of Adnan and Amna 6-2, 6-3.

The men’s singles final proved a highly-charged encounter, where Muzammil Murtaza played well and edged out experienced Aqeel Khan by 6-2, 7-6(6-3) to clinch the title.

The ladies singles final was won by Ushna Suhail, the granddaughter of Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad, who overwhelmed young Zunaisha Noor 6-2, 6-0.

In the boys U-18 singles final, Abubakar Talha (Wapda) defeated Shehryar Anees 6-2, 6-2. Abubakar Talha completed the brace of titles, when he, along with Hamza Roman, beat Ahtesham Humayun and M Salar 6-1, 6-4 in the U-18 doubles final.

Shayan Afridi claimed boys U-14 singles title by beating Junaid Khan 6-0, 6-3 while Bismel Zia defeated Hajra Sohail 6-3, 6-3 to lift the girls U-14 singles title.

ITF Seniors Champion Rashid Malik, partnering with Arif Feroze, defeated Muhammad Khalid and M Ilyas 5-2 (retd) to clinch the seniors 55+ doubles title.

Talha Waheed (Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd) and Shehryar Salamat clinched the seniors 40+ doubles title after edging out Ashar Khan and Hadi Hussain 1-6, 6-4, 10-12 in the final.

Pakistan’s Olympic Gold Medallist Arshad Nadeem graced the concluding ceremony as chief guest while his coach Salman Iqbal Butt was the guest of honour. Both distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up.

They also awarded life time achievement awards to Nausheen Ehtesham and Rashid Malik for their services for tennis in Pakistan.

Other notables present on the occasion were entire family of Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad including Aisam ul Haq Qureshi and Ushna Suhail, Former Governor Punjab Gen (Retd) Khalid Maqbool, tennis players, their families, and tennis enthusiasts.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony, Aisam ul Haq Qureshi thanked the entire tennis community and players as well as all the stakeholders including sponsors, whose contributions and presence made this memorial event a huge success.

“The purpose of conducting this event was to pay a huge tribute to my grandfather, who was a true legend of tennis of Subcontinent and Pakistan and their great services for Pakistan tennis will be remembered for a long time.

I assure you all that this huge prize money-carrying national ranking tennis tournament will be conducted every year with more zeal and zest.”