LAHORE – Former Davis Cup player and tennis coach Rashid Ahmad Malik has dedicated his prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz to Pakistan’s tennis fraternity, describing the honour as a collective achievement earned through decades of support, trust and commitment to the sport.
Speaking to The Nation, Rashid Malik expressed gratitude after being awarded one of the country’s highest civilian honours in recognition of his lifelong services to tennis. “I am thankful to Almighty Allah for blessing me with such a great honour,” Malik said. “After receiving the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2010, being awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz is truly a proud moment for me. This recognition belongs not only to me but also to my family, colleagues and the entire tennis community, whose support and belief always encouraged me to continue serving the game.”
He paid special tribute to the Pakistan Tennis Federation and its president Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi for their continued backing, while also acknowledging the contribution of fellow players, coaches and officials who remained part of his long and successful journey in Pakistan tennis. Malik said the honour has further strengthened his resolve to bring more international success to the country. “My next major target is to win the ITF Seniors World Championship,” he said. “That achievement would also be a great honour for Pakistan, and after that I would aim even higher. I remain fully committed to earning more international accolades for the country.”
The conferment of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz marks another milestone in the illustrious career of Rashid Malik, who has remained one of the most influential figures in Pakistan tennis for more than four decades. As a former Davis Cup player, Malik represented Pakistan with distinction during the 1980s and 1990s and later transitioned into coaching and administration, where he continued to play a vital role in nurturing future talent.
Currently serving as Senior Executive Vice President of the Punjab Lawn Tennis Association, Malik has been instrumental in promoting grassroots tennis through the Junior Tennis Initiative programme. Under his leadership, the Punjab Tennis Academy at Bagh-e-Jinnah has evolved into one of the country’s leading centres for player development and junior competitions.
