ISLAMABAD, Aug 8: Former Davis Cup player Hameedul Haq on Monday criticised the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) for acting “too late” by holding an exclusive tournament for women. He termed the National women’s ranking turnament that took place at the PTF Complex here last week as an “exercise in futility.”

PTF officials had said that the event would serve as a platform for selection of a national team for this September’s Islamic Women’s Games in Tehran. But Hameed, Pakistan’s most capped Davis Cup player pointed out that the tournament in question featured only under-16 players.

“Neither Mariam Rahim nor Mehvish Chishtie took part, which shows that the competition lacked quality.”

Sara Mahboob, 14, won the singles crown by defeating Nida Waseem while the under-17 title was claimed by Anoosha Aslam who beat Sara Mansoor.

Hameed who is set to leave for Thailand on Friday to defend his Asian Seniors crown, said that the PTF would have done well to hold tournaments for women years ago and provide them international exposure so that a strong team could have been selected for the Islamic Games.

“For almost four years now, PTF has not been sending teams for participation in Fed Cup or for any other event, which goes to show the state of women’s tennis.”

He suggested that still if Mariam, Mehvish and Nida Waseem were put into a camp and given training in the month available before the Games, Pakistan just might do well.

“If this is not done, I don’t see any chance of our team winning medals.”

Meanwhile, Hameed hoped that he will be successful in defending his title at the tournament in Pattaya which runs from Aug 15 to 21.

“I have been winning it for the past three years and am confident that this time too I will be able to retain my title.”