JEDDAH, 7 February 2003 — The “2nd LG Table Tennis Tournament” began with zeal with the opening ceremony held at the Al Hamra Sofitel here last Friday.
This tournament is solely sponsored by LG Electronics, the Korean manufacturer of home appliances and consumer electronic products.
Leading the technology in most product lines, LG has decided to lead in community’s social affairs and sporting events. The theme of the tournament is “LG The Technology Leader” in which H. G. Ibrahim Shaker Company and United Yousef M. Naghi Electronics division were visibly active, with banners and slogans relating sports to business. The grand opening ceremony which was attended by over thirty participating teams, was presided by LG Electronics General Manager, H. K. Seo, who delivered his welcome speech with human emotions and his commitment to sports and health-related activities.
In his address, Seo appreciated the response by all the participating teams and wished them good luck, as the matches start from today at Al-Hamra Sofitel hotel.
High-ranking Naghi officials, Alan Kenn Acting GM, and Ghassan Ayash, marketing manager, were in attendance as United Yousef M. Naghi Company is the sole distributors for LG brand home appliances and electronic products.
H. G. Ibrahim Shaker Company, the sole distributor for LG brand air conditioners, was represented by their national marketing manager, Wael Hamadeh and Shoukath Khan, products manager .
Shaker Company and United Naghi are participating in this tournament in terms of products as prizes. At the end of the tournament winners will be awarded with trophies and products will be given out as gifts. There will be ten or more products as the Lucky Draw prizes on the final prize distribution day. Seo said: “This tournament will be instituted as a tradition and we will try to take this effort to its glorious end”.
He said: “May be we will ultimately hold a national championship and winners of all provincial tournaments will be invited to compete.” This idea was very much appreciated by the participants as it encouraged a race with an objective.
Last year, LG Electronics organized similar table tennis tournament, in which most Western Region amateur teams participated and teams from Eastern and Central regions expressed their interest. During the year 2002 LG was approached by various players of good standing which compelled LG to plan table tennis tournament for Central and Eastern regions. Seo confirmed that LG is now planning a Marathon Table Tennis Tournament in Alkhobar. Commencement of this tournament will be announced soon and it is expected to take place during the month of April, 2003.
Seo, in his speech emphasized the importance of inter personal relationships and the role of sporting activities in community development. He also highlighted LG Electronics role in community affairs.
H. K. Seo was introduced to all the participating teams, which were elegantly lined up for introduction. Each team captain shook hands with Seo and expressed his appreciation for LG’s interest in community affairs.
Opening ceremony was a colorful event, with team flags and banners, slogans from LG distributors and cheerful players eager to give it their best. Competition is expected to be tough and LG trophy is waiting to be lifted. Among the top teams present at the opening ceremony were Saudi Stars, Electronic Workshop, DHL, ASDAA Public Relations, Jeddah Graphics Center, Juffali Printing Systems and FUCHS Oil.
“This tournament is for all communities and all amateur teams are invited to come and play,” Seo said.
He said anybody is welcome and contact us if wish to enter team in this tournament, thus LG provided equal opportunity to all the players in the Western Region.
Asadullah Ghalib, president Jeddah Table Tennis League, Fahim Khan, Deputy Managing Director of ATE1CO and Nadeem Khan of LG Electronics had full control of this event. Faheem Khan is well-known in Pakistani community for his love for table tennis and other sporting activities. It is the same spirit which made him take active part in LG table tennis tournament. Asadullah Ghalib, who organized the previous LG Table Tennis Tournament, playing his role as an important table tennis consultant for LG Electronics. He is being consulted for the Eastern Region Tournament.
Team Y & R Advertising is the official advertising agency for LG and is actively involved in all such events. Shahid Haider and Fadi Karim of Team Y & R were seen taking active part in this activity. (S.M. Arshad)
