Aqeel Khan from ball-boy to Pakistans No. 2 player now
Photo: S. Subramanium
FIGHTING IT OUT: Aqeel Khan believes lack of sponsorship and facilities have curbed his progress on the ATP circuit.
New Delhi: Ace Pakistani tennis player Aqeel Khan says that financial constraints and lack of sponsors are hurdles for players like him from making a mark at the international level.
As a school-going kid, Aqeel hated the job of a ball-boy and decided to pick up the tennis racquet instead. Today, he is the No. 2 player in his country and feels he has enough ammunition to crack at the upper echelons of the sport.
But Aqeel thinks hard work is not enough to find ones foothold at the international stage and there are things which are not in ones control.
I cannot afford to play tournaments abroad on my own due to financial constraints. Due to long time absence from the court, I am not able to defend my points. I have no sponsor and I do not belong to an affluent family. So despite putting all the hard work, I go nowhere, Khan told PTI in an interview.
Aqeel, who is here for the ITF Futures tournaments, last played an international tournament abroad in July 2006 in India. Besides, he also played Davis Cup ties in China, Philippines and Pacific Ocean.
Aqeel, languishing at 533rd spot in the ATP rankings, says the lack of travel hampers his progress. PTI
http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/06/stories/2007080656611800.htm
