ISLAMABAD: US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker hailed Pakistan’s first international women’s tennis tournament at the W15 level (featuring US$15,000 prize money) and described it as a milestone for women’s sports and an opportunity to strengthen international ties through sports diplomacy.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Junaid Family Foundation (JFF) Women’s W15 Futures Tournament in Islamabad on Saturday, Baker congratulated the organisers for bringing together 30 female players from 17 countries and territories.
“I was especially pleased to learn that this is the first women’s tournament at this level ever held in Pakistan. That makes it a real milestone, and everyone who helped make this happen should be very proud,” she said.
Baker said sports promoted teamwork, resilience and lasting connections between people and countries, adding that such ties extended beyond the sporting arena.
She also expressed hope that more Pakistani athletes would compete at major international events, including the Summer 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, which the United States is preparing to host.
The US diplomat praised the players’ competitive spirit and sportsmanship, as well as the hospitality extended to international participants. She thanked Pakistan Tennis Federation President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Ansir and Sufia Junaid, and the federation for organising the championship.
Baker also acknowledged Qureshi’s achievement at the 2010 US Open, where he reached the men’s and mixed doubles finals, becoming the first Pakistani tennis player to contest a Grand Slam final.
The tournament was sponsored by the Junaid Family Foundation, led by Pakistani-American philanthropists Ansir and Sufia Junaid, as part of its wider commitment to women’s empowerment, maternal health and education in Pakistan.
French player Astrid Cirotte won the women’s singles title, while China’s Ru Xi Wu and Thailand’s Kamonwan Yodpetch claimed the women’s doubles championship. Baker joined the foundation’s leadership in presenting prizes to the winners.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ansir Junaid of JFF said the tournament demonstrated how international sporting events could inspire young women while bringing together policymakers, philanthropists and development partners.
He said the event had showcased talented athletes, encouraged young people to recognise their potential and created opportunities for further collaboration.
“Our commitment to Pakistan is long term,” he said, adding that the foundation wanted to support initiatives capable of delivering lasting results.
Sufia Junaid said investments in women’s healthcare, education and sports were interconnected efforts that could help bring lasting social change.
She said better maternal healthcare could give children a stronger start in life, education could open new opportunities, and international sporting events could encourage young girls to pursue ambitions they might not otherwise consider.
Held under the theme “A Powerful Serve for Women’s Health”, the tournament also highlighted the foundation’s work to improve maternal and child health across Pakistan.
The organisers said the initiative aimed to combine international sporting opportunities with broader efforts to support women and children, while showcasing Pakistan’s potential to host international sporting events.