Young Tennis Stars Shine at SICAS Punjab Junior Championship 2024

The SICAS Punjab Junior Tennis Championship 2024 recently concluded at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy in Nishtar Park, Lahore, showcasing the remarkable talent of young athletes in the region. This prestigious event brought together some of the best junior tennis players, providing them with a platform to demonstrate their skills and compete for top honors.

In a thrilling display of athleticism, Abubakar Talha from Wapda emerged victorious in the boys U-18 final, decisively defeating Asad Zaman with a score of 6-0, 6-2. Abubakar expressed his heartfelt gratitude to EURO Petroleum for their generous sponsorship and unwavering support throughout the tournament. He also acknowledged the crucial role played by his coach, Mehboob Waheed Jan, who guided him during his recovery from an injury. Furthermore, Abubakar thanked SA Gardens for their continuous support since his early days in the U-10 category.

Abdur Rehman Rana and Hajra Rana, both exceptional students from SICAS, showcased their prowess by clinching two titles each. In the boys U-16 final, Abdur Rehman secured the championship by overcoming Muhammad Huzaima with a score of 6-2. He further solidified his dominance by winning the boys U-14 final against Aalay Hussain, again with a score of 6-2. Meanwhile, Hajra Rana triumphed in the girls U-14 final, defeating Bismel Zia 6-3, and continued her winning streak by claiming the girls U-12 title, where she decisively beat Khadija Suhail 6-0.

The competition also featured exciting doubles matches. In the boys/girls U-14 doubles final, the duo of M Muaz and M Ayan emerged victorious against Abdur Rehman and Hajra Suhail, winning 6-3. In the boys U-12 final, Muhammad Ayan claimed the title by defeating Muhammad Muaz with a score of 6-4. The boys/girls U-10 title was secured by M Ayan, who triumphed over Salman Pirzada with a commanding score of 6-0. In the seniors 65 plus doubles final, Waqar Misar and Brig (R) Ghazanfar showcased their experience by defeating Shahid Waqar and Mobin Malik with a score of 8-1.

The concluding ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Shehryar Salamat, Director of SICAS, and Shahid Zaman, former Secretary of Sports, who served as chief guests. They distributed prizes to the winners and runners-up, celebrating the achievements of these young athletes in front of an audience that included PLTA SEVP Rashid Malik, Col (R) Asif Dar, Nauman Aleem, and the players' families.

This championship not only highlights the growing interest in tennis among the youth in Pakistan but also emphasizes the importance of support from sponsors and coaches in nurturing young talent. As these young athletes continue to develop their skills, they represent the future of tennis in the country, inspiring others to take up the sport and strive for excellence.