JEDDAH, 28 May 2004 — The 9th Seiko Tennis Challenge Team Tennis Tournament is set to begin today at 5:00 p.m. at the Al-Bilad and Sheraton Hotel tennis courts.
Dubbed as Seiko Tennis Challenge, it features team competition where four doubles and a singles games will be played. Up for grabs are championship crowns in five different categories, C, B2, B1, Mix and the combined B and B+. Also tabled in the event is the mixed (Men's and Ladies) categories.
A total of 47 teams will see action with big clubs such as JETO, Jaforms, KAIA, SPTC and SG among others leading the pack of hopefuls. Champions SPTC-Vice in category C, KAIA in Category B2, Hempel-Jaforms in Category B1, and SG in Mix Category are defending their crowns and start favorites.
Now in its 17th year, the tournament is organized and managed by the All Filipino Tennis Players Association (AFTPA) who have been successfully running tennis tournament in the Western region, under the auspices of the Philippine Consulate General with Romeo Bugarin as its current chairman.
Abdul Rahman O. Al Hussaini, president of Al Hussaini & Co., the sole distributor of Seiko watches in Saudi Arabia has agreed to support the event and is the major sponsor of the tournament.
A doubles exhibition match featuring the top tennis players, Ahmad Zulfiqar and his brother Waqar against top Filipino players Rico Gonzales and Robert Saavedra, will be part of the opening day ceremonies. For further details and information, interested parties, clubs/teams may contact the following AFTPA officials, Boy Cornejo (0509762330); Gerry Alcantara (0505425462); Lito Menez (0505642879 and Nestor Sorosoro (0507580489).
