JEDDAH, 29 November 2003 — Five Filipinos participating in a volleyball game were injured in a brawl that disrupted the 6th Ranao Mini Olympics at the bustling open beach of Obhur, Jeddah, on Wednesday.

Organizers of the games said Nasser Barambangan of the Saguiaran International team was badly injured in the brawl. Four others sustained minor cuts, wounds and bruises.

All were given immediate first aid treatment by attending nurse Anisah Mapandi.

Arab News learned that the melee erupted following a controversial referee’s decision during a hotly contested championship game between the Ewaton and Saguiaran teams.

The Saguiaran team complained of the referee’s “net ball” decision giving a score to the Ewaton team, which was leading by two points.

After an apparent exchange of unsavory remarks from some players and supporters, a free-for-all erupted. Even supporters were seen fighting indiscriminately, to the dismay of more than 500 people who came to watch the game.

Among the spectators were Rep. Benasing Macarambon Jr. of the 2nd district of Lanao del Sur province in the southern Philippines, and Mayor Omar Macabalang of Marawi City.

From spectator, Macarambon found himself playing the role of a mediator in stormy negotiations that took about two hours to resolve.

In the end, members of the warring teams were seen shaking hands and hugging each other as if nothing happened.

It turned out that the Ewaton and Saguiaran members are related to each other and were also closely related to the congressman.

Both teams were declared winners in the volleyball category, with organizers saying both had shown “exemplary performance” as shown by their tight scores throughout the game.

Saguiaran was proclaimed overall champion after winning 5 of 7 categories. These were the 400-meter relay, tug-of-war, best tent, and best in uniform.

The other winning teams were the Pantao-Ragat, triathlon; and Binidayan, patintero.

The second place winners were Ewaton, tug-of-war; Binidayan, 400-meter relay; Malumbay, triathlon; Pualas, patintero.

The two-day sportsfest, which ended Thursday afternoon, is an annual event organized by the Ranao Divers Club and the Marawians.