ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has sent proposal to International Tennis Federation (ITF) regarding holding of Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group-II home tie against New Zealand at the neutral venue of Rangoon, Myanmar, an inside source on condition of anonymity has confirmed to this scribe on Friday.
Earlier, PTF chief Syed Kaleem Imam had confirmed that due to prevailing security situation in the country, the ITF had ruled out the possibility of hosting the tie in Pakistan, instead that particular tie would be held at the neutral venue of Dubai. But due to some technical issues and keeping in mind the fact Rangoon Club has the facility of grass courts which suits Pakistan players the PTF has decided to pick Myanmar for that particular tie.
Dubai had given very expensive bill for using their facilities so the PTF then contacted Sri Lanka but their reply was not satisfactory so the PTF then decided to go with Myanmar. The source said the ITF had given the PTF time to till Friday to send their suggestion, upon which the PTF had acted.
The source completely rubbished the claims of some quarters who had said that the ITF constitution did not allow ties to be played at neutral venues accept during wars or other extraordinary conditions. The matter of the fact is that the PTF had the right to choose the neutral venue, which they dully used. The Davis Cup tie between Pakistan and New Zealand would be held from April 5 to 7.