JEDDAH, 8 November 2006 — The Saudi Basketball Federation’s new season starts tomorrow with the staging of the Al-Jawal Basketball Championship in Madinah.
Ten teams are vying in the tournament that will run through Nov. 17 at Prince Mohammed ibn Abdul Aziz Sports City Stadium.
The teams are divided into two groups with Al-Ittihad, Ohud, Al-Wehda, Al-Qadisiya and Al-Nasr bracketed in Group A, and Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al-Ansar, Al-Nahdah and Al-Masirah in Group B.
The Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has been named the official sponsor of the SBF’s major tournaments starting with this championship under an agreement forged between STC and General Presidency of Youth Welfare headed by its president Prince Sultan ibn Fahd.
SBF President Prince Talal ibn Badr acknowledged this sponsorship comes as the first step in the furtherance of cooperation between STC and the sports sector. STC Sports spokesman told Arab News Madinah Governor Prince Abdulaziz ibn Majid along with Prince Talal are expected to present the cup at the awards ceremony after the final match.
Meanwhile, the SBFsecretary-general, Abdulrahman Al-Musaad, was named a member of FIBA’s administration council where he will serve a four-year term until 2010.
Al-Musaad expressed his appreciation to Prince Nawwaf ibn Faisal, deputy-president at the Youth Welfare, and Prince Talal for their trust and recommendation at the International Basketball Federation meeting which was held on No. 6 in Tokyo, Japan.
