PTF to hold training camp for Davis Cup players in Sri Lanka

The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has decided to hold training camp for its Davis Cup players in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to acclimatise them to the country's conditions. "Acclimatisation always plays a major role in a team's performance. Our camp will help players adapt effectively to the conditions, which may otherwise trouble them during the matches," PTF secretary Khalid Rehmani told APP. Pakistan, who have not hosted a home tie since 2005, were forced to host their Asia Oceania
 

Group I Davis Cup tie against China in Sri Lanka after International Tennis Federation (ITF) turned down PTF's appeal of playing the tie in Pakistan. The event will take place from March 4 to 6 in Colombo. Rehmani said Pakistan team will depart on Feb 26 and their training camp will start the next day. He said Pakistan players had attended two-month training before featuring in the 12th South Asian Games in India. "That's why we deemed it appropriate to provide them some rest before they depart for the important tie," he said. Pakistan qualified for Group I after nine years when in September last year Aisam-ul-Hag Qureshi, Ageel Khan, Samir Iftikhar and Abid Ali Akbar defeated Chinese Taipei team in the Group II final in Turkey. This would be the sixth encounter between the two teams. They played each other last time in 2006, with China beating Pakistan 5-0. The next month's winner will take on seeded Uzbekistan for a chance to qualify for the World Group play-offs