SAIL title sponsor of Indo-Pak Test series

Chandigarh, Nov 1 (UNI) Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) will be the title sponsor of the Indian leg of the four-test home-and-away Indo-Pak Tennis Series to be played from November 6 to 12.

Announcing this here today after the organising committee meeting held at the CLTA Complex in Sector 10, Steering Committee (Indian Leg) of the SAIL Indo-Pak Series Chairman Rajan Kashyap said that for Chandigarh (November 10) and Delhi (November 12) Tests matches the prize money at stake would be approximately Rs five lakh (Rs 2.50 for each Test).

Mr Kashyap said Tushar Kunju of Indian Air Force and Lalit Mohan Singh of Delhi, both white badge umpires, would supervise the match in Chandigarh.

One Test will comprise two singles and one doubles matches. The ties will be decided by draw of lots at all four centres, including Islamabad (November 6) and Lahore (November 8). With renowned coach Gajendra Singh looking after the technical aspects of the Chandigarh Test, Kashyap, who is also chairman of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, said the draw for the Chandigarh Test would take place on November 9 at 1800hrs.

The Pakistan and Indian players will come to Chandigarh by road after crossing over to India via Wagha Border on November 9.

The match at the CLTA Centre Court is scheduled to begin at 1000 hrs. All four Test matches will be telecast live by Doordarshan and Pakistan Television. Both countries are fielding their best available players for the 'Friendship Series''.

With 441 ATP ranking, Davis Cupper Aisam Ul-Qureshi will captain the six-member Pakistan team. Other members of the Pakistan team are: Davis Cupper Aqueel Khan, Jallil Khan and Nomi Qamar.

Pakistan Tennis Federation secretary Major (Retd) Rashid Khan and Syed Iqtidar will accompany the Pakistan team as manager. PTF president Syed Dilawar Abbas is also accompanying the Pakistan team.

Davis Cuppers Ropan Bopanna (ATP ranking 273) and Karan Rastogi (ranked 361) , Divij Sharan ( 522), Vivek Shoken (603) and doubles specialist Mohd Ghouse will represent the Indian team.

Meanwhile, the orgnanizing committee of the Chandigarh Test reviewed all arrangements to make it a big show. SSP Gaurav Yadav assured that special registration counter would be set up at the hotel where the Pakistan players and their officials would stay.

The visitors will be provided adequate security.

Arrangements have also been finalised for practice sessions by the players from both sides at the Centre courts under lights.

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