ALKHOBAR, 17 May — The Eastern Lawn Tennis Association are set to launch their 3rd ELTA Tennis Open Men’s Singles and Classified Doubles Championships Friday (May 24) at the plush Algosaibi Hotel tennis courts.
The format is simple, however, the challenge is tougher. According to the current ELTA Chairman Bing Reambonanza, there will be four-class competitions in this tournament. For Class A, it will be an open singles for Flights 1, 2 and 3 players only as being categorized by ELTA from its previous tournament records.
“This will give a chance for unrated players to play against the top seeds in the tournament,” Reambonanza said. “When you are in the court, nobody is sure who will win. Even the grand slam tournaments, unseeded players surprised top seeded players like Pete Sampras or Andre Agassi,” the ELTA chairman justified.
In Class B, it will be a doubles match with a sum of 6 pairing wherein Flight 2 players will be paired with Flight 4 or a combination of two Flight 3 players. In Class C, it is also a doubles game with a Sum of 9 wherein Flight 3 can be paired with Flight 6 and Flight 4 being paired with Flight 5. The lower Class D will only be for all the Flight 6 categories.
To boost its number of entries, ELTA will introduce in accepting multiple entries wherein any player can join in any of the four class categories as long as one fits in the qualification. This will give more chances for a tennis enthusiasts on winning more prizes.
The tournament will start from May 24 and will run until June 28. Entry forms are available at Raquet Shop, Sports Market Company, SkyFreight Forwarders, Smash Sporting Goods, RT Sports Shop, Sports Ghornatah, the Filipino Cuisine, and the Algosaibi Hotel recreation center.
This year’s ELTA officers are: Bing Reambonanza, chairman; Edwin Cruz, vice-chairman; Damian dela Cruz, secretary; Ed Rodriguez, assistant secretary; Ed Villarino, treasurer; Nilo Bejasa, business manager; Mar Lucanas, asst. business manager; Emmanuel Bissara, auditor; and board members Florante Catanus, Martin dela Calzada, Romeo Novelles, and Arnold Samatra.
The tournament director is Manuel Custodio and the assistant tournament director is Renato Portillo. They will be assisted by the ELTA regular members, namely: Rommel Aguiluz, Tony Almeida, Manny Anes, Danilo Cenil, Herminio dela Cerna, Mario David, Robert Elsisura, Efren Genciana, Julio Maloto, Avelino Mayo, Ernie Navalta, Ador Penaverde, Efren Roman, and Epifanio Velasco.
Also supporting the group are the friends of ELTA and honorary members like Almario Abergas, Edgar Amante, Ferdinand Arana, Elmer Bonifacio, Rommel Buenaventura, Norberto Habig, Conrad Jaberina, Johnny Jocson, Roderick Lazaro, Rolando Manalaotao, Juanito Martin, Alex Navarro, Homer Ocsio, Lito Patricio, Doming Pelayo, Pablo Rada, Manny Ramos, Marianito Real, Gabby Sandalo, Michael Sapong, and Michael Tudor.
