Group wants end of Muslim-Israeli team

KARACHI, PAKISTAN - A top Pakistani tennis player has been asked by the country&#39;s tennis federation to explain why he teamed up with an Israeli in the men&#39;s doubles at Wimbledon. <br> <br> Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, a Muslim, joined Amir Hadad, an Israeli Jew, in the Wimbledon qualifying tournament in doubles and won two rounds before getting into the main draw. <br> <br> Syed Dilawar Abbas, president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, said Tuesday he had written to Qureshi demanding an explanation for his decision to play with an Israeli. <br> <br> ``We hope and expect that he would not repeat this mistake in future,&#39;&#39; Abbas said. <br> <br> Abbas said Haq had not obtained permission from the Pakistan Tennis Federation for pairing with an Israeli player. <br> <br> After they were eliminated from Wimbledon in the third round Monday, Qureshi and Hadad said they had teamed up because they knew each other and respected each other&#39;s tennis ability. <br> <br> ``I never thought it was going to become such a big thing,&#39;&#39; Qureshi said. ``We&#39;re not here to change anything: politicians and governments do that.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The two, who have known each other for two or three years from playing lower-tier Challenger events, may team up again for the U.S. Open. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s the first time I&#39;ve made it to the main draw of a Grand Slam - with him,&#39;&#39; Qureshi said. ``I wouldn&#39;t mind, for sure. I don&#39;t like to interfere religion or politics into sport.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Hadad agreed. <br> <br> ``We are good friends, and I think we&#39;re going to keep playing together in the future,&#39;&#39; he said. <br> <br> Qureshi said he has played with an Israeli partner before - ``in smaller events, Futures and stuff. I know all the Israelis on the tour.&#39;&#39;

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/7/192889