Iraqis make their presence felt in Davis Cup tournament

Iraq, who emerged unbeaten in their group in the Davis Cup Group IV tennis tournament here, are eyeing a promotion to Group IV in their very third appearance since the war.

"Since 1989 we never played in the Davis Cup until 1998 when we lost to hosts Bangladesh in the semis," said coach Faisal Mahmoud, a former Iraqi champion between 1970-78.

Again after a seventh place finish in Brunei in 1999, Iraq were served a two-year ban for not conforming to ITF regulations. However, with a new set of officials, the ban was reduced to one year and they are back, looking competent enough of booking one of the two berths in Group III.

"We are back on the international circuit and this team will definitely advance to Group III," says a confident Faisal Mahmoud. "Last year I watched the teams in Group IV and felt that we did have a chance," he said.

"Firstly we have prepared very well and the Iraqi Tennis Federation has apart from a four-month camp, also put up the players in a good hotel for another month-long intensive camp," said Faisal. "Our players are very strong and they enjoy a very high level of fitness," he added.

Another factor which could help the Iraqis is the nature of the playing surface here. "In Iraq most of our courts are similar to the one we are playing on here which is not a very fast, and this suits our players," Faisal said.

The game will receive a big boost if we qualify while the Iraqi Federation, which has put in a lot into preparing this team, will also be encouraged to increase the facilities for players," the Iraqi coach added.

There are about seven big clubs promoting the game in Iraq and three of them have about eight courts each. Currently playing in the Arab championships, the Iraqis are slowly getting to the top in the region and despite their long absence on the international arena, Iraq are now making their presence felt.