ISLAMABAD: United States Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker has praised Pakistan for hosting its first international women's tennis tournament at the W15 level, describing the event as a historic milestone for women's sports and an important opportunity to strengthen international relations 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 to compete in Pakistan.
"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," Baker told players, officials and distinguished guests.
"The 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," she said.
Emphasising the importance of sports diplomacy in strengthening international relations, Baker expressed hope that more Pakistani athletes would compete at major international sporting events.
"As 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," she said.
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.
Baker also paid tribute to Qureshi's 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's empowerment, maternal health and education in Pakistan.
French tennis player Astrid Cirotte won the women's singles championship, while China's Ru Xi Wu and Thailand's Kamonwan Yodpetch secured the women's doubles title. Baker joined Ansir and Sufia Junaid in presenting prizes to the winners during the closing ceremony.
Speaking about the tournament's significance, Ansir Junaid said the event demonstrated how international sporting competitions could inspire young women while bringing together policymakers, philanthropists and development partners.
"What we saw this week was about much more than tennis," said Ansir Junaid.
"We saw talented athletes competing at a high level, young people seeing what is possible, and leaders understanding what more we can accomplish. Pakistan means a great deal to me personally. To be able to bring people together here, invest in ideas that can make a difference and see that work gaining momentum is enormously meaningful."
Sufia Junaid said the foundation viewed investments in women's healthcare, education and sporting opportunities as interconnected efforts to create lasting social change.
"For us, these efforts are all connected," she said. "A 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."
Organised under the theme "A Powerful Serve for Women's Health", the tournament also highlighted JFF's work to improve maternal and child health across Pakistan.
"Our commitment to Pakistan is long term," Ansir Junaid said. "We 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."