Israel's Hadad, right, and Qureshi of Pakistan.Posted on 06/29/2002 2:02:32 PM PDT by swarthyguy
KARACHI, June 29 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Pakistani sports officials Saturday condemned the pairing of Pakistani tennis player Aisamul Haq Qureshi with an Israeli player in Wimbledon 's doubles event. Qureshi’s historic achievement was overshadowed by his controversial decision to pair with an Israeli player, news agencies reported.
Qureshi, paired with Amir Hadad of Israel , upset 11th seed Rick Leech of the United States and Ellis Ferreira of South Africa to reach the third round of this year's second Grand Slam tournament Friday, June 28, 2002 .
"Although he is playing in his private capacity, we officially condemn his playing with an Israeli player and an explanation has been sought from him," Pakistan Sports Board Director Brigadier Saulat Abbas told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"Since Pakistan has no links with Israel , Qureshi may face a ban."
Qureshi, 22, created history by becoming the first Pakistani player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam event, but it is his teaming up with an Israeli player which grabbed headlines in Muslim Pakistan.
"When players compete on the professional circuit, they are not bound to national federations, but we have sought an explanation from him and if advised by the government, we may take action," Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Syed Dilawar Abbas said.
Qureshi played a key role in Pakistan 's Davis Cup semi-final win over Taiwan in the Asia Oceania zone group II in Lahore and would be vital in the country's Davis Cup final against China in September.
Pakistan lags behind in international tennis and has yet to produce a world class player.
"Due to the bloodshed in the Middle East , Qureshi's pairing with an Israeli player is wrong," said former Pakistan tennis champion Saeed Hai.
Hai was the first Pakistani to play in the singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles events of Wimbledon from 1954-56, but he never made it beyond the first round.
However, Pakistan 's tennis captain Rasheed Malik spoke up in support of Qureshi, going directly to the player’s achievement, and ignoring the reason behind criticism.
"We should appreciate his progress in an international event rather than criticizing it," Malik said. "At times, you have no option when it comes to choosing your partner and what he has achieved should be appreciated."
Qureshi himself was unperturbed by the controversy. "I am surprised at the fuss being made over my partnership. I would like to be talked about for my tennis (abilities) rather than politics," Qureshi told AFP in London .
"If we can change people's minds then that would be a good thing."
On Friday, the PTF sidelined itself from the controversy saying it had nothing to do with Aisam's participation at Wimbledon , according to Pakistani daily newspaper Dawn.
"Aisam entered in the tournament as an individual players. Therefore, we had no justification in stopping him from teaming up with an Israeli," PTF officials said.
Israel's Hadad, right, and Qureshi of Pakistan.
One suspects, however, that if the partner were a Palestinian whose brother had recently exploded himself sending nails and screws ripping into the flesh of dozens of children, Saeed would have no problem with that.
Only assuming the brother made out of his own neighborhood without having a work-related accident.
"We should appreciate his progress in an international event rather than criticizing it," Malik said. "At times, you have no option when it comes to choosing your partner and what he has achieved should be appreciated."
Good, I'm so glad.
< /sarcasm >
Discrimination.
no, this is much more severe than a simple smile...
Thanks for clearing that up.
Of course, the people making a stink about it are bozos anyway. Hats off to Aisamul Haq Qureshi for ignoring them.
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