KARACHI: Pakistan’s number one under-14 tennis player Junaid Khan has been denied entry into the ongoing PSO International Tennis Championship here for being overage.
The player’s father has written a letter to the Director General of Pakistan Sports Board and asked him to intervene in the matter and allow his son’s entry in this high prize event. “My son sent his entry for the PSO Tournament (being held in Karachi from February 8–15) on the 5th of this month but he was not allowed to play and declared overage for the said category.
“I respectfully submit that my son holds valid Form-B and Passport, which clearly confirm that he is 14 years old,” said Khan Saeed, adding that Pakistan Tennis Federation has suggested a wrist test to him.
However, he added, it is concerning that this requirement is being applied only to his son, while many other under-14 players are participating in the event without any wrist tests. “If such a test is required, it should be applied equally to all under-14 players to ensure fairness and merit,” said Khan, adding: “My son has won six consecutive under-14 national tournaments.” The events are Millat Tractors Junior National Tennis Championship 2026; 11th Begum KS Tournament; 21st Westbury National Junior Tennis Championship; Sohail University National Junior Tennis Championship; Federal Cup; and National Junior Solar Championship.
“Junaid has also represented Pakistan internationally in Kazakhstan Tennis Federation and Asian Tennis Federation events as nominated by PTF and his age has never been questioned previously with the same documents,” reasoned Khan.
He requested to the DG PSB to intervene and allow his son to participate in the PSO Tournament and future under-14 events. When contacted, tournament director PSO Tennis Championship Khalid Rehmani said that PTF received some documents which create doubt on Junaid’s age therefore he has been asked to undergo wrist test.
Meanwhile, Aqeel Khan thrashed Moaula Madad 6-0, 6-1, Barkatullah (KPK) beat Kashan Tariq 6-2, 6-1, and Yousuf Khan (KPK) smashed Shamoon Hidayat 6-1, 6-0 in the second round of men’s singles at PSO Tennis Championship at Karachi Club here on Wednesday.
In the second round of juniors 18 singles, Rashid Bachani (Hyderabad) defeated Yahya Bin Zain 6-2, 6-0, M Yahya (Islamabad) beat Waqas Janas (KPK) 6-0, 6-1, Yahya Haleem won against Laraib Shamsi 6-3, 6-4, Ruhab Faisal thrashed Syed Sufyan 6-1, 6-2, and Ansarullah overpowered Meer Abbas Bhagat
7-6, 7-5.
