RIYADH, 16 December 2005 — The OFW community in Riyadh were delighted at the sponsorship of Arab News, for second time, of the basketball friendship tournament for the “Arab News Cup”.
The organizing committee of the Mindanao Basketball League in Riyadh (MBLR) has expressed its sincerest thanks to Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena for attending the opening ceremony of the 2nd Conference in Yamama Hotel basketball court here.
In his opening remarks, tournament director Omar Mapandi commended Arab News’ support for the MBLR tourney for the second time.
“I would like to express my happiness today at the start of the second conference basketball tournament, which is one of the most awaited events,” Mapandi said. He also has expressed his thanks to Power Horse for co-sponsoring the tourney for the 2nd time.
MBLR’s Secretary-General, Usodan Dida-Agun, in his welcome address, said the gathering allowed all OFWs to share a platform. “Looking at it from socio-cultural point of view, this tournament brings us together and fosters unity, camaraderie, understanding and teamwork,” he said.
He emphasized Arab News’ continued support has made the OFWs loyal to the paper. “Now, you even have a weekly 8-page tabloid Pinoy Xtra in Tagalog every Sunday, free of charge,” he said. Addressing all team managers, coaches and players in general, MBLR’s tournament director appealed for their cooperation by abiding the rules and regulation and competing with true sportsman’s spirit.
The tournament will be officiated and supervised by the MBLR’s Organizing & Management Committees; Omar Mapandi, Tournament Director, Member of Secretariat: Usodan Dida-Agun, Tournament Secretary-General, Ungkal Ali A. Noh, Jam Umpat, Asiddin Arabain.
Members of Technical Committees: Moktar Julkipli, Chairman, Allan Magompara, Chairman Asst, Jamil Zaman, Chairman Asst, Wahid Ago, Farouk Radia, Omar Pasasadaba, Saudi Uddin
Decoration Committee, Cahar Binito, Chairman, Norguiaez Mohammad, Adviser, Saud Egil, Adviser.
Participating teams are:
Al-Nao of Lanao Del Sur, Desert Lion of Sulu, Fil Ex of Cotabato, Grande of Maguindanao, Islam Today of Sulu, Kapatiran of Balik Islam group, Marawians of Marawi City, Obaydah Smasher of Maguindanao, Pangampong of Lanao, and PNB — T. Falcon of Maguindanao.
Games are played every Friday and Riyadh veteran referees headed by the Filipino Confederation of Basketball Referees (FCBR) Ernie de la Cruz and his team officiate.
