The Long Beach Tennis Center USA was inaugurated at the Central Park Sports Complex under the Central Park Housing Scheme in Lahore, marking a major step in the development of tennis in the country. The initiative, organised by Urban Developers Group, brings an international-standard sports facility to the city alongside cricket, padel, football and badminton amenities.
The opening ceremony was attended by chief guest Mian Tahir Javed, chairman of Urban Developers Group. Distinguished guests included Punjab Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Mudassar Riaz Malik, guest of honor Sid Siddiqui, chairman and owner of Long Beach Tennis Center USA, and special guests from the United States, Mr. Amir Rausal and Mr. Safder Qureshi. Renowned international cricket umpire Aleem Dar and several American coaches were also present to witness the launch.
The newly launched academy will operate under the supervision of foreign-qualified coaches from the United States, offering modern training techniques, structured fitness programmes and professional mentorship to young Pakistani players. Organisers say open trials will be conducted soon to identify skilled and promising athletes from across Punjab and beyond, as part of a concerted effort to build a broader talent pipeline.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sid Siddiqui described his motivation: “I have been coaching tennis in the USA for a long time and have the honor of producing a good number of tennis players there. Now, the love of my homeland has compelled me to serve the game of tennis here too.” He added that establishing a US-level academy in Central Park Society will allow highly qualified coaches to train raw talent in Pakistan and help transform them into true champions.
Siddiqui outlined a long-term vision for the centre, saying the aim is to produce international-level players who will represent the Pakistani flag worldwide. With focused training and professional guidance at the Long Beach Tennis academy, he said a new generation of tennis stars can emerge and elevate national tennis standards.
Punjab Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Mudassar Riaz Malik emphasised the need for structured development and grassroots identification: “Pakistan does not lack talent. What we need is proper identification and grooming at the grassroots level.” He urged schools and colleges to play a more active role in spotting and nurturing sporting talent and praised the organisers for what he described as a landmark step in promoting tennis culture in the province.
In addition to training plans and trials, Sid Siddiqui announced that an international tennis tournament will be organised in Lahore within a year to provide Pakistani players with valuable international exposure and competition experience. The Long Beach Tennis launch signals a renewed focus on professional coaching and competitive opportunities for young athletes in the region.
