JEDDAH, 18 December 2004 — Syria won the Prince Abdul Majeed Skydiving Cup and their team members received gold medals at the end of the 10-day championship, capped by the prize distribution ceremony here yesterday. They were followed by Oman and Morocco in second and third places respectively in the target competition category for teams at the 4th Jeddah International Championship for Skydiving. The Omanis received silver medals and the Moroccans bronze medals. All of them additionally received cash prizes.
The prize distribution ceremony, presided by Prince Abdullah ibn Fahd Al Saud, deputy governor for security affairs, Makkah region, was marked by the presence of many skydiving fans and their families.
In the air formation category of the competition, the Spanish team emerged first and received the Prince Abdul Majeed Skydiving Cup and gold medals. The Omani and the Moroccan teams claimed second and third places respectively in this category as well. They all also received cash prizes.
Syria also clinched the championship in the category for individuals. Their skydiver Ghazi Ahmed Ramadan was declared the winner in on-the-target competition for individuals. Oman’s Saeed Khalfan emerged second.
Prince Abdullah congratulated the winners and lauded the efforts of the organizers in staging the competition for the fourth year in a row, which had attracted the participation of 12 international teams. “No doubt, the standard of the competition was comparable with the best worldwide,” he said.
“Skydiving fans had a thrilling experience during the competition that lasted 10 days and this event shows that our organizational skills can match those internationally,” Capt. Ahmed M. Al-Juhani, executive director of Saudi Aviation Club, told Arab News.
Visibly delighted were the Syrians who won both the team and individual events. “We’re very happy at the outcome. Our happiness now is like that of any other team or individual when they win a major international athletic event,” Muhammad M. Yousuf, leader and coach of the Syrian team said.
“We missed the first slot in the team formation event by just five points,” Ali Bakeet Tabus, leader of the Omani team said. “We were well prepared and aimed to lift the title, but narrowly missed it,” he said, adding that his team will be here for the competition next year.
Mubarak Al-Suwailem, general manager of the Jeddah International Championship for Skydiving, said 12 countries that took part were all happy with the manner in which the event was professionally conducted and organized.
The other Middle Eastern countries that participated were Egypt and Jordan. Five Asian country-participants were Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia Mongolia and Brunei. Spain represented Europe.
He said the tournament was fully supported by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed who has been encouraging and generously supporting all national sports activities as well as international events staged locally.
The championship, officially recognized by FAI and ASIANIA, comprised three categories - Formation team competition, accuracy of landing team and individual competition.
Raed Al-Merbati, general manager of National Events Management Company, said the participating countries were represented by a delegation consisting of a head, an international judge, a coach ad five jumpers for the team contests and five other jumpers for the individual contests.
The sponsors of the event were also honored. They included Saudi Aviation Club, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudia World Holidays, Saudi Television Factor, Abuljadayel Beverages, ART, Smartest Way, Zahid Trading & Real Estate Company, Hafil, Majid Hussein Establishment, Red Sea Palace and Al Afifi Factory and National Events Management Company.
