KHAMIS MUSHAYT, 27 September 2006 — City Max downed Tahweel Al-Rajhi 91-80 in a lone game that tore the wraps off the First Islamic Education Center Basketball Tournament here.
Dr. Abdullah Hadi Al Khatani, director of Islamic Education Center inaugurated the tournament by welcoming the participating teams.
At the opening, he said, “The purpose of organizing such tournament was to provide a platform to expatriate community to interact with each other and at the same time to know about Saudi Arabia, its culture and Islamic values. It will also help them to interact with Saudi Society.”
Dr. Abdul Rehman, chairman of the sports committee, said 10 teams divided into two groups are participating in the tournament.
In Group A are City Max , Tahweel Al Rajhi, Merex, Sanaiya Sonics and New Sannaiya Club, while Group B consists of Patriot, Air Defense, Al Essa, Al-Yahya and Abu Ubaidah club.
The tournament will be played on league basis with a duration of four months as the matches will be played on Fridays only, said Abdul Rehman, adding, that after the matches there will be Islamic lectures.
Abdul Rahman chairs the sports committee with Dr. Eesa Onza co-chairman, and Ebrahim Amonguis and Musa Laruzo members. The ground committee includes Abdullah Orendain and Musa Laruzo.
Majority of the players are Filipinos. The captain of Tahweel Al-Rajhi, Eric Leyson, said the tournament will “help us to get to know the community”. Manager of City Max Khamis & Abha, Rafiq & Prabhakar, was also present along with Lious, captain of combined City Max team.
Other guests present during the occasion were Sultan Al-Shahrani, co-chairman of the Center, Abha & Khamis coordinator of Philippine Consulate, Jeddah, Vher Crisostomo, Bukhare Taher, Ahmed Ameen, and other community members & Dawah committee members.
