JEDDAH, 30 April 2004 — Forty matches were played in the first round of Singles Championship of the 3rd LG Table Tennis Tournament on the opening day last Friday. Some 150 spectators were present to cheer up their favorite teams. Arab News and Al-Eqtisadiah are supporting the tournament, which will see about 40 more matches in the round today. The tournament is being played in full compliance of the rules followed worldwide. Each game is of 11 points and each match is decided on the basis of best of five games.
On the opening day, Azeemuddin of AFS defeated Shahid Bari of OTC 3-1, while Emad Farag Ali of Alhamra Sofitel Hotel got a walkover from Cromwel Mario of Saudi Oger. Reda Al Berdan of Jeddah Graphic Center won 3-0 against Abdul Hadi Saeed of Riyadh House Est.
In one of the thrilling encounters, M.K. Majed of AFS defeated young Saad of Bajaba Electronics by a narrow 3-2 margin. Saad played some tremendous shots and exhibited superb backhanders, but could not overcome the power game of the experienced Majed in the last game.
Daniel Santos of Saudi Arabian Airlines got off to a fine start, easily defeating Hassan Mahfooz of SEDCO 3-0 to move into the second round of singles championship.
In another exciting match between Shafiq Ahmed of Sarawat Superstores and Dr. Rehan Khan representing Juffali Printing System, Shafiq Ahmed won 3-2. This was perhaps the most thrilling encounter of the day.
Young Abdul Rehman, representing Alhamrani Fuchs Petroleum, was picked the best player of the day with an outstanding performance. Members of the organizing committee of the tournament consider him as a promising future player.
Asadullah Ghalib, president of Jeddah Table Tennis League, Faheem Khan, managing director ATIECO, and Ameem Khan, are among the main organizers and administrators of the tournament.
Following are some of the winners of the 1st Round:
Obaid Barmem of Attar Travel, Farooq Qureshi, Ayman Yousuf of Blue Star, Khawja Munawar of Saudi Electric Co., Mohammed Shakeel, Hammad Sheikh of PISJ, K.C. Raheem of STTB, Rafi Ahmed of SGB Baroom, Balbir of Oldies, Mohammed Atif of Tokio Marine Insurance, Sameer Masood of Mushrifa Clinic, Irafan Siddiqi of Al Rumaih Compound, Hazim Fouad of Riyadh House Est., Malik Mauzzam Ali Khan of Saudi ABV Co., T. Sumuel of Royal & Sun Alliance, Raees Ahmed of Bajaba Electronics and Asif Khan of Overseas Transport Co.
