JEDDAH, 20 October 2006 — Al-Ittihad won the Ramadan Street Basketball Tournament at the finals played here on Monday night. Al-Katab were the runners-up.
“We’re delighted to have won the tournament despite stiff competition,” said Iman Al-Madani, a member of Al-Ittihad team. Nadim Al-Sultan and Mustafa Kan were Ittihad’s other members who were visibly happy over the outcome. They thanked the sponsors for organizing the tournament and hoped to take part in such tournaments in future.
In all 140 teams from Makkah, Taif and Jeddah saw action in the tournament that was played at Iceland on Prince Sultan Street.
The tournament completed its first rounds over the last weekend and had its semifinal rounds earlier this week. The tournament, staged for the fifth year in a row, is supported by Saudi Basketball Federation chaired by Prince Talal ibn Badr Al Saud and supervised by General Presidency of Youth Welfare.
Prince Talal praised the three-a-side tournament.
The federation’s general secretary Abdulrahman Al Musaad also sent a message describing it as a successful tournament that aims to develop the game of basketball and new young Saudi talents.
Prince Talal said “We really appreciate the efforts of Publicis Graphics, organizers of the tournament, and we express our support to them in order to reach their goal in bringing Saudi and expatriate youth in one place to enjoy their favorite game.” Best known basketball players from local clubs took part in the tournament, a spokesman for the organizers said.
Zahid Trading and Real Estate Company Ltd. (Zahid Trec), through its world-class brands Sportslook, Lifestylez and Rocawear are the event sponsors along with Burger King, Renault, Iqra TV and Arriyadiah newspaper.
The Street Basketball Tournament is becoming increasingly popular with young Saudis and sports fans, especially as it offers great opportunities and prizes to sportsmen and participants, the organizers said.
Al-Ittihad received a cash prize of SR10,000 and Al-Katab SR5,000. The sponsors presented additional prizes to participants.
“We’re honored to take part in this tournament, an important Ramadan event. The tournament has been a complete success over the last four years and Zahid Trec strongly supports such events to promote sports among the youth,” Zahid Trec Operations Manager Ziad Al-Afif said.
The sideshows that spiced up the event were the slam dunk contests won by Ittihad’s Raed Al-Hawsawi and Louie Laxamana and the three-point shootout won by a Lebanese player.
Laxamana, of Jeddah Filipino Selection, was also named Best Player of the tournament.
Feras Al-Maddahm, head of the organizing committee said “The tournament is designed to provide fun and competition for all ages and skill levels.” “Our main goals in staging this tournament for the 5th year in a row is to create a positive atmosphere for the youth of all ages especially basketball lovers, to bring this game to a high standard and most importantly search for new talents ,” Feras said.
