RIYADH, 5 December 2002 — The Association of Filipino Tennis Players (AFTP) here concluded their tournament by raising a gift for Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

During the closing ceremonies of its Masters Cup 2002 held recently at Al-Yamamah Hotel tennis courts, association officers passed the hat around and when it came back, a total of 290 riyals were collected from the organizers, guests, and players.

AFTP chairman Jimmy Isla said the amount may not be that big but it will also not be the end of it.

“I believe that PNRC is one of the charities in our country that truly delivers basic services to our kababayan during calamities, hence it deserves our much needed support” he said.

Various organizations and individuals have responded since PNRC Secretary-General Lourdes R. Loyola, writing through the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh six months ago, asking for support from Filipinos in the Kingdom for its humanitarian projects.

Loyola wrote that the agency’s funds come largely from donors and that while there had been a decline in donations from its traditional sources, there seem to be no letup in the calamities at home.

Among those who have responded so far are Filipino schools in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Alkhobar, two engineers’ groups, the Ma’aden and AFTP tennis groups, the Black Python martial arts organization, and the Jeddah-based Alyansa umbrella organization.

A number of health-related organizations are also reported to be joining the campaign soon.

Isla said that AFTP would again collect donations on the opening of its Winter Cup tennis tournament on Dec. 12, which is expected to have 336 players.

Fourteen-year-olds Anjo and Arjay Suarez are twin brothers who were among the more than 200 tennis players who participated in the tournament. The Suarez brothers will again join in the Winter Cup, according to their father Rene.

He added that since the twins started joining tournaments three years ago, they have developed mental toughness, confidence, and closeness.

“Now, having supported a charity, social consciousness has been instilled in them,” said Geline Suarez, the mother of the twins.

Other key officers of AFTP present during the closing ceremonies were Bernie de Castro and Cesar Arsenas. Aside from the snacks served, gifts were given away to the players.