MOSCOW, Idaho—Babar Akbar has been hired as the head coach for the Idaho women's tennis team, Idaho Director of Athletics Rob Spear announced on Wednesday.
 
"We are thrilled to have Babar assume the head women's tennis coaching position," Spear stated. "His playing experience coupled with his ability to recruit globally will help our women's tennis program sustain its current success and position it well for the future."
 
Akbar, a native of Islamabad, Pakistan, has spent time coaching tennis both in Pakistan and the United States. He was most recently the Director of Tennis at the Headstart School in Islamabad, while also teaching economics.  
 
Akbar helped build up the sport of tennis in Islamabad, starting a grassroots program that introduced the local youth to the sport. He founded the Total Tennis Center, helping run summer camps and raising funds for the program and equipment.
 
Akbar played collegiately at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, S.C. After graduating in 2007 he stuck around Charleston as a junior development coach, developing some of the top juniors in the Southern Region.
 
He was ranked as the No. 2 junior player in Pakistan in 2001. In 2015 he became the National Doubles Champion and climbed as high as No. 12 in the singles rankings.
 
Akbar joins his brother, former Idaho men's tennis standout, Abid, on staff. Abid is now in his second year as the head coach of the Idaho men's team.