Under the joint initiative of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) and International Tennis Federation (ITF), a new Adaptive Tennis Training Program has started today in Abbottabad, making it the third major center in Pakistan for this important project in the last twenty days. This rapid expansion signifies a national movement to promote wheelchair tennis and provide better opportunities for athletes with disabilities across the country.
On the inaugural day of the recent training activity, which was held at Abbottabad Club in Hazara Division, four wheelchair athletes participated. Previously, events were successfully held in Lahore and Faisalabad, where more than thirty wheelchair users participated in talent identification programs, resulting in the selection of promising players. These skill development sessions are organized under the aegis of the International Tennis Federation’s Wheelchair Department and Pakistan Tennis Federation, while the Abbottabad program is supervised by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tennis Association.
Muhammad Khalid Rehmani, Vice President of Pakistan Tennis Federation and Member of Asian Tennis Federation Wheelchair Tennis Committee, thanked Umar Ayaz Khalil, Senior Vice President of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tennis Association, for his continuous support. He also thanked the management of Abbottabad Club for hosting this event at their esteemed premises. Naseer Mehmood is serving as the coordinator for the current session, while Faisal Mehmood is playing the role of coach.
Among the players participating in the Abbottabad camp are Faisal Mehmood, Hanif Mughal, Hashim Hussain, Syed Noor Hussain Shah, Abbas Ahmed, Muhammad Riaz, and Ishtiaq Hussain.
Furthering its commitment to nationwide inclusion, Pakistan Tennis Federation recently decided during its General Body meeting to hold a similar Adaptive Tennis Training Program in Quetta, Balochistan, later this year. The objective of this decision is to ensure equal access and opportunities for athletes with disabilities in all regions of the country.
The national tennis body has previously organized similar activities and special tournaments in various cities including Peshawar, Karachi, Hyderabad, and Mirpur Khas during the early months of 2025 and 2026. Furthermore, national players have represented Pakistan twice in the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Asian Qualifying Events held in Sri Lanka.