Contestants from four clubs — Saudi Electricity Company’s Energy Toastmasters Club, Zamil Toastmasters Club, Diamond Toastmasters Club (Dammam) and Sri Lankan community’s Taprobane Toastmasters Club (TTC) — took active part in the event.

Toastmasters International teaches public speaking and leadership skills through its worldwide network. The organization has more than 270,000 members in over 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. In Saudi Arabia, it owes its presence largely to the initiative of Saudi Aramco.

Due to the rising number of clubs in the Kingdom, Toastmasters International created District 79 exclusively for Saudi Arabia. In the current context, when communication skills have become an integral part of the personality development course taught in institutes and colleges, Toastmasters International is playing a good role.

Area 52 Governor Kaleem Ahmad spoke about the ways and means of discovering new horizons. “Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; keep your eyes fixed on the far horizon to find the right road,” he said.

The program began with an introduction from Dr. Gamini A. Padmaperuma while Ayra Kaleem recited verses from the Holy Qur’an. Contest Chairman Abubaker Nazeer conducted the proceedings.

Inayatullah Mirza conducted the International Speech Contest, in which eight contestants took part. Yogendraprasath from Taprobane Toastmasters Club won the first place, followed by Yasir Irfan and Azeezur Rehman (both from Diamond Toastmasters Club).

Mohammad Azhar conducted the Evaluation Speech Contest. Seven participants took part in the Table Topic Speech Contest conducted by Mohammad Iqbal Mohsin.

Ziyana Azhar from Taprobane Toastmasters Club stood first, followed by Hema Suneil and Ajeez Sebastian (both from Diamond Toastmasters Club).

There were seven contestants in the Humorous Speech Contest. It was conducted by Makki Mabuk. Javid Ali Khan won the first place, followed by Wael Al-Bassam and Raneel Wajirakumara.

Area 52 Governor Kaleem Ahmad, Division O Governor Azhar Farooq, Saif Ali Sheikh, Natheer Al-Qasem and Syed Faizulla honored the winners and assignees. Raneel Wajirakumara proposed a vote of thanks.