Pakistan’s under-12 tennis team has departed for Shymkent, Kazakhstan, to compete in the ATF Under-12 Championship, which runs from 16 to 21 September.
The event will feature 12 teams from across the region.
The team includes three players: Shayaan Afridi, Muhammad Junaid, and Rashid Ali. Coach Muhammad Abid will accompany the players as the non-playing captain.
The team is expected to not only participate in the tournament but also engage in a comprehensive three-week training camp.
The training programme is split into two parts: a one-week session before the tournament, and a two-week session following the event.
The camp has been organised as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Pakistan and Kazakhstan Tennis Federations.
According to the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), the camp is designed to enhance the skills of the young players and expose them to high-level international competitio
This is the second time Pakistan has reached the final stage of the prestigious event. In 2021, Pakistan triumphed over India to win the championship.
Pakistan squad:
Muhammad Shayan Afridi (Player), Rashid Ali (Player)
Muhammad Junaid (Player),
Muhammad Abid (Captain & Coach)
Participating nations in the competition are:
West Asia: Syria, Saudi Arabia
Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan
South Asia: Pakistan, India
Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam
East Asia: China, Chinese Taipei, Korea.
As a result of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the PTF and KTF, the Pakistani team will benefit from extensive training in Shymkent.
This is the first time Pakistani players will attend a training camp abroad, which is expected to significantly enhance their skills.
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the PTF, extended his best wishes to the team, urging them to play with full force and bring home the title.
He emphasized the importance of the MoU, stating that such initiatives would give young players opportunities to showcase their talent and improve their skills.
He also expressed gratitude to the KTF for hosting the Pakistani team.
