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ISLAMABAD: United States Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires Natalie Baker has praised Pakistan for hosting its first international women\u2019s tennis tournament at the W15 level, describing the event as a historic milestone for women\u2019s sports and an important opportunity to strengthen international relations through sports diplomacy.<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Junaid Family Foundation (JFF) Women\u2019s W15 Futures Tournament in Islamabad on Saturday, Baker congratulated the organisers for bringing together 30 female players from 17 countries and territories to compete in Pakistan.<\/p>\n \u201cI was especially pleased to learn that this is the first women\u2019s 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,\u201d Baker told players, officials and distinguished guests.<\/p>\n \u201cThe United States believes in the power of sports to teach teamwork, resilience, and the ability to build connections between our people and our countries. And those connections last long after the final point,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Emphasising the importance of sports diplomacy in strengthening international relations, Baker expressed hope that more Pakistani athletes would compete at major international sporting events.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the United States prepares to host the Summer 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, we look forward to seeing more Pakistani athletes on the world stage,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The senior American diplomat praised the competitive spirit, sportsmanship and warm Pakistani hospitality experienced by international players throughout the tournament. She thanked Pakistan Tennis Federation President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Ansir and Sufia Junaid, and the Pakistan Tennis Federation for organising the championship.<\/p>\n Baker also paid tribute to Qureshi\u2019s historic achievement at the 2010 US Open, where he reached two doubles finals and became the first Pakistani tennis player to contest a Grand Slam final. She praised his efforts to create opportunities for the next generation of Pakistani tennis players. The tournament was sponsored by the Junaid Family Foundation, led by Pakistani-American philanthropists Ansir and Sufia Junaid, as part of its broader commitment to women\u2019s empowerment, maternal health and education in Pakistan.<\/p>\n French tennis player Astrid Cirotte won the women\u2019s singles championship, while China\u2019s Ru Xi Wu and Thailand\u2019s Kamonwan Yodpetch secured the women\u2019s doubles title.<\/p>\n Speaking about the tournament\u2019s significance, Ansir Junaid said the event demonstrated how international sporting competitions could inspire young women while bringing together policymakers, philanthropists and development partners.<\/p>\n Sufia Junaid said the foundation viewed investments in women\u2019s healthcare, education and sporting opportunities as interconnected efforts to create lasting social change.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us, these efforts are all connected,\u201d she said. \u201cA healthy pregnancy can give a child a stronger beginning. Education can open doors. And seeing athletes compete on an international stage can inspire a young girl to imagine a future she may never have considered. We want to invest in those moments that can change a life.\u201d<\/p>\n Organised under the theme \u201cA Powerful Serve for Women\u2019s Health\u201d, the tournament also highlighted JFF\u2019s work to improve maternal and child health across Pakistan.<\/p>\n \u201cOur commitment to Pakistan is long term,\u201d Ansir Junaid said. \u201cWe want to listen, bring the right people together and put resources behind ideas that can deliver lasting results. There is tremendous talent and potential here. Our role is to help create the conditions for that potential to flourish.\u201d<\/p>\n PTF president Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and secretary general Colonel Zia-ud-Din Tufail were also present at the ceremony.<\/p>\n The closing ceremony was attended by ambassadors, diplomats, tennis officials, players, coaches, parents and spectators, reflecting growing interest in women\u2019s tennis and international sporting events in Pakistan.<\/p>\n Qureshi congratulated the champions and runners-up on their performances and thanked Baker, the Junaid family and other guests for attending. He also acknowledged the foundation\u2019s support in staging the tournament.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n