Pakistan, Turkey play friendly tennis match

ISLAMABAD: A friendly tennis match between Pakistan and Turkey was held here at the PTF Complex to commemorate the 70 years of friendship between the two brotherly nations.

The match was played between Ergi Kirkin (Turkey) and Pakistan’s Muzammil Murtaza in a cordial environment.Both the players displayed quality, passion and sportsman spirit and Kirkin proved his mettle to beat his Pakistani counterpart 7-5 in an exciting encounter. A good crowd gathered to witness the match comprising Turkish and Pakistani spectators. The crowd supported both players and applauded them for their entertaining display.

Ambassador of Turkey in Islamabad HE Sadik Babur Girgin was the chief guest on the auspicious and memorable occasion.The Turkish ambassador, PTF President Salim Saifullah Khan, Anwar Saifullah Khan, PTF officials, director Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomats and other dignitaries witnessed the match and expressed their pleasure to be present on such a momentous occasion and enjoy the game of tennis.

The PTF president thanked the Turkish ambassador and commended his role in cementing the bilateral relations between the two brotherly nations, besides promotion of tennis activities between Pakistan and Turkey. He also thanked the Turkish Tennis Federation for hosting Pakistani players at Istanbul to play the Friendship Series in October-November, 2017.

Girgin also spoke on the occasion. He thanked the PTF president for the invitation and applauded the Saifullah’s efforts for promotion of tennis and strengthening of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Turkey.