JEDDAH, 11 August 2003 — Jimmy Beltran, the president of ALJ Sports Organization, wanted a unique change in their annual sports tournament. He wanted something that will have an impact on the lives of Filipinos back home, especially the less fortunate.
Told that the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) had been asking for help from overseas Filipinos, Beltran’s group immediately drew up a two-fold plan. First is to solicit funds during the basketball tournament.
A drop box will be will be placed in front of the committee’s table from the start of the tournament up to the championship game. With a box that is visible to all, both players and spectators will have the chance to chip in a riyal or two.
The second phase is to encourage all players and officers of ALJ Sports Organization to donate blood to PNRC whenever they go home to the Philippines for their vacation.
“The ALJ Sports Organization has patronized Bantay Bata for many years. But this charity has already had many sponsors. So this year, with my prodding, we decided to shift our support to PNRC. We can do more than just donate money, we can do other things like blood and things in kind like used clothing and other stuff,” Beltran told Arab News.
This year’s basketball tournament that will start in the middle of August, so far, has attracted at least 27 teams.
They were divided into three categories namely, inter-company (bonafide), inter-company non-rated, and inter-division among the Abdul Latif Jameel Group of companies. Champions of each category and individual honors like the tournament’s MVP and mythical selections will receive handsome trophies and other gifts.
The tournament is in cooperation with the Overseas Filipino Sports Association or OFSA chaired by sportscaster Jojo Ligan, with Mohammed Bayoumi as adviser. All the games of the tournament will be played at the newly refurbished ALJ sports complex in Al-Safa district.
Coaches, team managers and players were delighted to hear of the plan to help less fortunate Filipinos back home. Most of them are aware that PNRC’s funds are used every time there is disaster without regard of regions, religion, color, or tribal affiliations.
This year the PNRC is trying to raise 300 million pesos.
A player, who was present during the meeting when the plan to support the Red Cross was presented, told Arab News: “This will make the tournament different from the other tournaments because you can contribute as a player, not only in entertaining basketball aficionados with your skill, but with a little donation too.”
