JEDDAH/RIYADH, 2 September — Dr. Shah Tariq Zoha of Riyadh has landed the top prize of a Hyundai Accent car in the 2002 Arab News World Cup soccer contest the draws of which were taken at the newspaper’s Jeddah headquarters yesterday.
Mohammed Hasan Mateen of Al-Esayi Electronics, Jeddah, and Sinnappu Ranganathan of Riyadh Palace Hotel picked up cash prizes of SR20,000 and SR15,000, respectively, while Mrs. Atika Bano, a Pakistani housewife from Riyadh, won SR10,000. Erusath Ali, who works in Al-Masief Stationery in Taif, was declared winner of SR5,000 in cash prize.
Return air tickets to Sri Lanka went to Ohidul Islam and Ismail Hossain, both from Jeddah.
Expressing his delight over winning the SR15,000 cash prize, Ranganathan, who has been a time keeper at Riyadh Palace hotel since 1985, told Arab News that he had not yet decided how he would utilize the award.
Syed Ismail Ibrahim, husband of Atika Bano, thanked Arab News for the award of SR10,000 to his wife. Atika, who used to teach at a school in Riyadh, had to give up her job with the arrival of her child.
Speaking on behalf of Al-Wallan Group, Sami Ahmed, marketing manager, congratulated Dr. Shah on winning the Hyundai Accent car. It is the second time that Al Wallan Group, Hyundai’s agent for the Central Province, has sponsored the Arab News World Cup contest. The company has assured Arab News of its continued cooperation.
Mohammed Hasan Mateen, an accountant with Al-Esayi Electronics, was delighted to hear the good news.I am surprised, and also very happy on winning the prize. I thank God for this. This is the first time I have won a contest,” he told Arab News.
Mateen who has been working in Jeddah for 12 years and sent five entries to the contest, said he would spend part of the money on helping poor families back home in India.
The contest drew overwhelming response from Arab News readers, as in the past. Participants included Saudis and expatriates of various nationalities. A large number of women took part and that is considered a very encouraging sign.
The draw took place in the Arab News office in Jeddah. Saudi Research and Publishing Company’s Deputy Director General Abdullah Al-Qahtani came specially from Riyadh to take part in the draw.
He said SRPC would continue its policy of getting readers involved in various activities and contests. He was highly impressed by the big number of entries.
Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Al-Maeena said the massive participation of Saudis and expatriates in the contest goes to show how popular the newspaper is in the Kingdom.
“I am most grateful to all readers who took part in the soccer contest,” he said.
Al-Maeena added that Arab News would continue to provide similar opportunities to its readers in future.
“Arab News has pioneered the sponsorship of cricket for schoolchildren in the Kingdom. The newspaper has also extended support to other games and activities and will continue to do so in future,” Al-Maeena said.
Chinthaka Bandara, SriLankan airline’s Western Province sales executive drew the winners of two return tickets from the Kingdom to Sri Lanka.
“We are happy to be associated with this contest and look forward to getting involved with other similar sporting contest in association with Arab News,” Bandara said after the draw.
Prize winners of the AN 2002 World Cup soccer contest:
1 - Hyundai Accent car: Dr. Shah Tariq Zoha, P.O. Box 2034, Riyadh - 11451, Tel: 436-8096 / 411-2247.
Cash prizes from Arab News:
1 - SR20,000: Mohammed Hasan Mateen, Al-Esayi Electronics, P.O. Box 22301, Jeddah - 21495, Mobile: 05-6617415.
2 - SR15,000: Sinnappu Ranganathan, Riyadh Palace Hotel, P.O. Box 2691, Riyadh - 11461, Tel. 405-4444 Ext. 2187
3 - SR10,000: Ms. Atika Bano, P.O. Box 5463, Riyadh 11422, Tel. 464-2066 / M: 056-437-357.
4 - SR5,000: M. Erusath Ali, Al-Masief Stationery, P.O. Box 1101, Taif, Tel. 736-8840/733-0248
Return air tickets from the Kingdom to Sri Lanka
1 - Ohidul Islam, P.O. Box 12402, Jeddah, M: 052-531-810.
2 - Ismail Hossain, P.O. Box 12402, Jeddah. M: 052762139.
Winners should contact Hamza, Hassan Addawi or Abdul Majeed on Tel. No. 6391888X3302, 3303 between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.
