JEDDAH, 6 December 2007 — The Jeddah United Sports Company (JUSC) recently organized a street basketball tournament for women at the Gold’s Gym, which attracted 18 teams from across Jeddah.
JUSC Director Lina Almaeena and Gold’s Gym Assistant General Manager Howaida Edrees organized the tournament. Teams included CBA, JU Platinum, JU Diamonds, JU Titanium, Jags 1, Jags 2, Jags 3, Al-Birr 1, Birr 2, Dragons, Predators, Eagles, Hawks, Gold’s Gym, Jeddah Pearls, Warda, Banana Utd, and Echoes.
Gold’s Gym had an opening show with instructors demonstrating power abs and fitness steps. Three-hundred people attended the opening to underline the huge popularity of basketball among Saudi females.
The teams were divided into three groups of six teams each. The eight strongest teams qualified for the quarterfinals and two groups were divided based on the first and second places, and a draw was made.
In the quarterfinals Jags 3 beat Jags 2 12-11, Al-Birr 1 downed Jags 1 12-9, JU Platinum defated JU titanium 12-4, and JU Diamonds won over Jags 3 8-3. In the semifinals JU Diamonds edged out Al-Birr 2 8-7, and JU Platinum topped Al-Birr 1 8-6.
Jeddah United Platinum won first place. The team comprised Marwa Ashrour, Tamara Saddiq, Nicole Jettner and Farida Alahmadi. Jeddah United Diamonds won second place. The team comprised Maha Binladin, Dania Almaeena, Rawabi Zahid and Briza Bohne. Al-Birr 1 team won third place based on the highest scores. The team comprised Hadeel, Shefa, Hend and Ghadeer.
Best sportswoman award was given to CBA Rebels, who had the least fouls during the tournament, Jeddah Pearls and Gold’s Gym. CBA Rebels comprised Heba Ali, Nuthaina Albaity, Suhaila Jaffrey, and Nadia Kaisrani; Jeddah Pearls comprised Handai Assad, Iman Qattan, Samahir Seet, and Sara Banawi; and Gold’s Gym comprised Coach Maleeka, Jana Bagadir, Abeer Abuljadaiel.
Lina Almaeena said the objective of the tournament was to promote basketball and sportsmanship.
Mona Othman, an ex-Olympic athlete and table referee was surprised with the level of Saudi sportsmanship shown and playing skills demonstrated in the tournament. Othman said she did not expect people to be able to play at such a high level.
The tournament could not have taken place without the referees, Sherry Nasseif, Nayla Filimban and Iman Falatah; and coach Pat Saddiq, who managed several qualifying teams. Luna Milk sponsored the event and distributed gifts and samples of their products to the audience.
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf also contributed to the tournament, offering delicious coffee, snacks, salads, sandwiches and pastries. Gold’s Gym offered six months free membership to the champion team, and three-month membership to the runners-up.
After the distribution of trophies, medals and prizes, the remaining teams gathered and danced together in a mood that ended an intense and fairly played final.
