JEDDAH, 7 July 2003 — Tennis in Saudi Arabia is to get a big boost with Prince Talal ibn Mansour initiating a Tennis Cup, which began at Albilad Hotel on the Corniche yesterday with two-day qualifying rounds.
The tournament is organized by the newly established Jeddah Tennis Organization (JeTO)
“My initiative in organizing the Tennis Cup is meant to discover new talents and motivate young Saudis, ‘our potential ambassadors,’ to this game which is getting worldwide prominence and popularity,” the prince told a press conference at the hotel on Saturday night.
“I’ve succeeded in my efforts in initiating the cup with the cooperation of the Presidency of Youth Welfare, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jeddah Tourism Committee and Saudi Tennis Federation,” he said.
The prince announced an increase in the prize money for the tournament and assured that he would organize bigger tennis tournaments, including an ATP event.
Asked to comment on Ittihad Club’s win in the King Fahd Cup earlier this year and the Saudi-Egyptian Super Cup on Friday, the prince, former chairman of the Ittihad Club, remarked: “Thank God.”
The total prize money for the cup has been increased to SR84,000. This includes SR20,000 cash prize to the cup winner. In all 84 players have entered the tournament.
Tournament referee Reggie said in all four players would qualify in the two-day qualifying rounds to join 28 others who were already in the main draw. There will be 16 players playing singles and 16 pairs doubles matches. The cup’s singles and doubles matches will start from tomorrow and continue daily evening until the finals scheduled for July 18.
Some of the players are professionals. They belong to different nationalities, a sizeable number being Saudis. Others include Jordanians, South Africans, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Egyptians, Canadians, Germans, Syrians and Nigerians.
The prince offered his special thanks to the hotel for hosting the cup and other sponsors who included Sami Attar of Attar Travel. Representatives of other sponsors including Cyprus Airways, Tudor Watches and Caeser Juice were also present.
Sami Attar announced that Attar Travel offered two British Airways tickets to London to doubles winners. Cyprus Airways has made a similar gesture to runners-up.
JeTO’s Tournament Committee Chairman Roberto Saavedra said the tournament had been meticulously planned to become a big hit among Saudis in particular and expats in general. “This will surely increase the awareness of the game in this part of the world.” Top seeded player in the tournament are Zulfiqar Ahmed, Valle Ramos, Hany Al-Ali, Jovie Elevares, Saleh Bushnak, Waqar Ahmed, Dong Sandoval.
